Poster for “The Family in the Face of the Challenges of Insecurity and Youth Violence Affecting Society” webinar.
Strong families are increasingly being recognized as essential to building peaceful and resilient societies. As communities around the world seek effective responses to youth violence, insecurity, addiction, and social fragmentation, many are returning to the family as the foundation where values, character, and social responsibility are first formed.
This focus was at the center of a recent webinar organized by Global Peace Women (GPW) Paraguay titled “The Family in the Face of the Challenges of Insecurity and Youth Violence Affecting Society.” Held in April 2026, the event brought together 65 participants from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Guatemala, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay to examine the role of families and communities in addressing rising social challenges affecting young people across the region.
The webinar reflects the broader commitment of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and GPW to advancing peacebuilding through values-based education, family strengthening, and community engagement. Both GPF and GPW recognize women and families as central actors in creating peaceful societies and continue to support initiatives that strengthen relationships, encourage intergenerational learning, and promote shared responsibility within communities.
The featured speaker, Dr. Elisa Ledesma, technical advisor to Paraguay’s Ministry of the Interior and recipient of the 2012 Annual “Living for the Sake of Others” Award, emphasized that the family remains the primary environment where children develop values and behavior. She pointed to weakened parent-child communication, family disintegration, and the loss of moral and spiritual guidance as contributing factors to the rise in youth violence and insecurity. Her remarks highlighted the need for families, schools, faith communities, and civil society to work together in creating supportive environments for young people.
Screenshot from “The Family in the Face of the Challenges of Insecurity and Youth Violence Affecting Society” webinar.
Dr. Ledesma also presented the SUMAR program, an initiative that addresses addiction among vulnerable youth through family and community strengthening. The program recognizes that recovery and reintegration are more sustainable when families and communities are actively involved in the process, rather than treating addiction solely as an individual issue. This approach reinforces the importance of collective responsibility and supportive social structures in addressing the root causes of violence and vulnerability among youth.
Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in dialogue on issues affecting families and communities across the region. The webinar created space not only for learning and reflection, but also for regional exchange on practical approaches to strengthening family resilience and preventing violence. The participation of attendees from multiple countries
demonstrated a shared recognition that many communities face similar challenges and can benefit from collaborative solutions grounded in shared values and mutual support.
Screenshot from “The Family in the Face of the Challenges of Insecurity and Youth Violence Affecting Society” webinar.
The themes explored during the webinar align closely with the ongoing work of GPF and GPW in the area of women and families in peacebuilding. Through educational programs, leadership development initiatives, and community-based dialogue, GPF and GPW continue to promote the understanding that peace begins in the home. Our initiatives encourage parents, educators, faith leaders, and community stakeholders to work together in nurturing values and service in younger generations.
The webinar in Paraguay also highlighted the important role women play in fostering peace and stability within families and communities. By empowering women as leaders, educators, and peacebuilders, GPW and GPF contribute to stronger family structures and more resilient communities capable of responding constructively to social challenges.
Screenshot from “The Family in the Face of the Challenges of Insecurity and Youth Violence Affecting Society” webinar.
As communities continue searching for sustainable pathways toward peace, initiatives that strengthen families and promote values-based education remain increasingly important. The work being carried out by GPF and GPW demonstrates that peacebuilding depends on the strength of relationships, shared values, and the capacity of families to nurture future generations.
Interested in supporting efforts that strengthen families, empower women, and promote peaceful communities? Learn more about Global Peace Foundation’s Women and Families in Peacebuilding initiatives and Global Peace Women.
