Participants of the Peace!Project event in Semarang
International Youth Day reminds us of the power, potential, and courage of young people around the world. But youth leadership should not be recognized only on one day. Across communities, young people are already contributing to peace through service, dialogue, innovation, and community action.
Since its inception, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) has recognized youth not only as future leaders, but as partners in building peace today. Across GPF’s network, young people have been at the heart of many peacebuilding initiatives, from youth forums and global summits to webinars, volunteer efforts, and community-based projects.
These initiatives raise an important question: What happens when young people are given the space to turn their ideas, energy, and leadership into action for peace? This approach also reflects the global Youth, Peace and Security agenda. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 recognizes the positive role young people play in preventing conflict, building peace, and contributing to post-conflict recovery, while calling for their meaningful participation in peace processes and decision-making.
Students learn about the core values of moral and innovative leadership during Project Saksham.
In Seoul, South Korea, young people came together for the One Korea Youth Forum under the theme “Startup for Peace: Global Youth for Building a Sustainable Korean Peninsula.” Hosted by GPF Korea, the forum brought together youth from South Korea, North Korean escapee communities, the Korean diaspora, and the international community for dialogue and support for a peaceful and sustainable future for the Korean Peninsula. The forum also launched Youth Solidarity for One Korea, a network of domestic and international youth organizations promoting a peaceful One Korea.
The spirit of youth peacebuilding is also reflected in other GPF local affiliates. In Africa, through the African Renaissance Initiative and the Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly Series, young people have space to develop their leadership and engage in conversations about ethical leadership, governance, and the future of their communities. The series explores the philosophy of Ubuntu, often understood as “human kindness” and the idea that one’s well-being is connected to the well-being of others.
Read more about the series here.
In Southeast Asia, youth leadership in peacebuilding has taken different forms. Through programs such as the ASEAN Youth Action Agenda Roundtable, GPF Philippines brought together young entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers for meaningful conversations where they shared their experiences and practical recommendations for building more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful communities.
Fellows from the first cohort of Global Peace Leadership Corps Indonesia
Likewise, GPF Indonesia, through the UGen Webinars, regularly brings young people together to discuss peacebuilding and other pressing challenges. In the webinar “Youth, Environment, and Peacebuilding: Taking Action for a Sustainable Future,” students, youth leaders, educators, and youth organization members explored the connection between environmental sustainability, community engagement, and peacebuilding.
GPF Indonesia also leads the Peace! Project, which brings young people together through activities that foster tolerance, respect, dialogue, interfaith peacebuilding, and mutual understanding.
Across continents, other initiatives such as Project Saksham, Global Peacebuilders Practicum, Global Peace Corps, and service opportunities continue to create pathways for youth leadership. While the settings may differ, the underlying message is the same: young people can be powerful contributors to meaningful change and peace in their communities.
A forum can open a conversation. A webinar can introduce a new perspective. A summit can connect young people with others who share their concerns. A community project can turn an idea into something people can see and experience. Together, these moments build the relationships, confidence, and sense of responsibility that peace requires.
Youth must be given the space to grow, learn, lead, and contribute. From the One Korea Youth Forum in Seoul and youth-focused webinars to regional summits and community-based service initiatives, GPF continues to engage young people in peacebuilding shaped by their own communities, experiences, and hopes for the future.
