“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt (First Lady of the United States and U.S. Delegate to the United Nations)
Youth in India participate in GPF peacebuilding programs.
In celebration of International Day of Peace 2025, our blog series on the 2025 theme, “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals,” has highlighted grassroots initiatives, the One Korea Global Campaign, interfaith peacebuilding, and practical, everyday actions for peace.
As we wrap up our series, we want to focus on the young leaders of the world, the engines for peace. Since its founding, GPF has placed heavy emphasis on youth leadership development. On this International Peace Day, we commend youth as active architects of peace and reaffirm our commitment to youth-driven change and peacebuilding.
Globally, GPF youth have been actively engaged in peace initiatives in their communities, translating learning into action. In Nepal, youth are engaged in values-based education and leadership training and are later encouraged to start their own service projects. They are empowered to be moral and innovative leaders, fostering tolerance, peace, and innovation for society and communities. Likewise, GPF India recently conducted the Peace and Leadership Training Program, where students from the University of Delhi engaged in participatory learning on peace and conflict resolution. With more than 50 Youth Peace Clubs, GPF India continues to sow seeds of peace within the minds of its youth population.
In another part of the world, GPF Brazil empowers youth through various values-based peacebuilding activities, promoting interfaith leadership, moral and innovative leadership, and a culture of service. With programs like Pills for Peace and Conversations that Connect, the Brazil chapter has fostered a culture of peace that encourages non-violent conversation, volunteerism, and conflict resolution.
Walk for Peace Nepal
Additionally, GPF and its field affiliates offer a range of programs and youth leadership tracks designed to cultivate moral leadership, cross-cultural dialogue, and practical peacebuilding skills. Programs such as the International Young Leaders Assembly, Global Peacebuilders Practicum, and Global Peace Volunteers provide structured opportunities for young people to develop empathy, critical thinking, and civic responsibility. With cross-cultural exchanges, GPF connects youths, experts, and like-minded individuals across nations to share experiences, solve global challenges, and promote mutual understanding. These initiatives complement the Moral and Innovative Leadership framework, raising service-minded leaders of tomorrow.
GPF strengthens the philosophy that youth and peacebuilding go hand in hand and that young people can shape society positively when guided by values-based education. The United Nations recognizes youth as essential partners in peacebuilding. UNSC Resolution 2419 (2018) emphasizes that engaging young people in decision-making processes strengthens societies and fosters sustainable peace. GPF programs operationalize this vision, equipping youth to contribute meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which calls for peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Brazil Youth Peace Posters
Through structured mentorship, service-learning, and international networking, youth are empowered to become problem-solvers who can address inequality, climate change, and social tension, while advancing collaborative and sustainable solutions. By mentoring youth, facilitating dialogue, and providing resources, GPF and its initiatives have amplified the positive influence of young leaders and peacebuilding.
As we close this series on the International Day of Peace 2025, one message is clear: youth are central to building a peaceful world. Peace begins with courage, creativity, and vision of today’s young leaders. This International Day of Peace, we support youth as bridge-builders and active citizens, reaffirming our commitment with intention, faith, and action. We will continue our actions to empower youths with moral guidance, practical tools, and global connections, where peace is actively practiced, not passively hoped for.
We further encourage everyone to invest in youth. It does not have to be grand and can start from your neighborhood, whether mentoring them, supporting youth and peace clubs, creating a volunteer program, or sharing stories of youth-led peacebuilding.
As Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” GPF youth are proving that these dreams, guided by moral leadership and global citizenship, can become concrete actions, turning hope into a reality of peace for all.
