Youth Peace Week Goes International!

This year we are launching the International Youth Peace Week, a collection of events accessible online and in English so that more people from around the world can take part! During the week we - and our wonderful partners here in Finland and abroad - will explore the questions of peace and the role of youth in peacebuilding through various themes. So join us to find out, for example, why gender equality and diversity are important factors in peacebuilding, why we should also consider climate change when talking about peace and why youth participation is so crucial to sustainable peace. 

The week aims to bring youth interested in peacebuilding together with different actors in the field to facilitate mutual learning and innovation. But above all the week exists to remind us that long lasting peace cannot be achieved without the youth.

Schedule:

Monday 20.9.

15-16.30 EEST 

Ministry for Foreign Affairs for Finland and UN Youth of Finland: 

Road to Doha - Past, present and future of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda

This launch event for the Youth Peace Week organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for Finland will take a look at the history and current situation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2250: Youth, Peace and Security and its implementation processes. Anticipating the upcoming high level global conference on Youth, Peace and Security in Doha, the event will also discuss future direction and  prospects of the YPS agenda. The event will feature a panel with both specialists working with the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and young peace builders as speakers, bringing a wide perspective on the topic. The purpose of the webinar is to raise awareness of the 2250-resolution and YPS-agenda as well as to reflect on what direction work on the agenda should take next and how the implementation of the resolution can be furthered. 

Wednesday 22.9.

16-16.30 EEST

Väestöliitto: How Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Peace are interlinked?

Join us on Wednesday 22 September at 4pm (EEST) to learn more about the UNFPA’s – United Nation’s sexual and reproductive health agency – work for Youth, Peace and Security and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). We have an honor to have two amazing speakers from UNFPA who are telling us firsthand information from the field. The first speaker Cécile Mazzacurati is a Technical Specialist on Youth, Peace & Security and the second speaker Petar Mladenov is an expert on Youth-led advocacy, CSE, Digital Technologies. 

This event will be held in English and online in Teams. Please register no later than Wednesday 22 September at 12pm by sending an email to gina.myllymaki@vaestoliitto.fi. More info here.

CANCELLED:

5-9 p.m. EEST

Finnish Model United Nations (FinMUN): MiniMUN: Promoting women's role in peacebuilding

At FinMUN, we are delighted to partake in the week and we will be organising - and hosting - a virtual mini Model United Nations (miniMUN) on the topic of Promoting women's role in peacebuilding on 22nd September at 5pm-9pm EET on Zoom. The topic will be simulated in the Commission on the Status of Women. 

We are now looking for delegates to take part in the simulation and represent a country on the commission!

But what is a (mini)MUN, and why should you attend?

- It is a 4-hour virtual simulation of the Commission on the Status of Women

- You will be representing one of the 15 committee member countries

- You will learn more about how the rules of procedure work in a MUN

- You will practice your public speaking skills

- You will network with students from Finland and beyond

This event will be held online and in English, sign up by filling out this form by 8.9.  

CANCELLED:

7-8.30 p.m. EEST

Asociación para las Naciones Unidas en España/UN Association of Spain: 

The important role of women in peace processes

Women have usually been excluded from high-rank decision-making debates, specially when it comes to peace processes. In this event, we will look at the data that exposes this inequality, but also on the successful experiences that demonstrate that the role of women in peace processes is essential.

Thursday 23.9.

8.30-9.30 p.m. EEST

Peace on Climate: Exploring the relationship between climate change and conflict in the Sahel region

Peace on Climate is a youth-led platform that strives to raise awareness about the link between climate change and conflict. During this event, the team of PoC will discuss their findings in the research on the matter, with a special focus in the Sahel region, as well as the possible solutions that they have identified. However, this will also be a space for all participants of the event to share their experiences, thoughts and ideas on the subject. So, feel free to join the conversation!

Friday 24.9.

10 a.m - 3 p.m EEST

TAYK: Peace Day Seminar 2021: Day of Non-Violence

Non-violence is the theme of TAYK's Peace Day event this year. Come by to learn from the experience and expertise of local and international non-violence activists and academics, from those protesting for more action on climate change to those who have non-violently toppled governments. From workshops to speeches, our goal is to leave lots of time for audience discussion, so come prepared with any burning questions or anything you've always wondered. For more information, don't hesitate to contact @tayk_ry on social media or the Peace Day Coordinator at peaceday@tayk.fi.

The event is in English and in a hybrid format, more information here. 

3-5 p.m EEST

Timeout Foundation and UN Youth of Finland: Dream Society - Timeout Dialogue on Strengthening Youth Participation in Society

What inspires you or stops you from participating in decision making? What is your experience of taking part in decision making processes? If you think about your dream society, what makes you hopeful or what worries you? Peace and the sense of belonging and participation are a part of a good society and your experience on the matter is important so join our dialogue on the topic!

Timeout dialogue is a constructive and equal format for having a discussion. It aims for a better understanding of yourself, others and the world around you. We talk from our own experience and listen to others. You do not need to be an expert on the topic, it is enough that you come to the dialogue with curiosity and an open mind. The dialogue also doesn’t aim to make decision or solve problems. 

We are inviting all youth and those interested in questions of participation to join us!

The event will be held online and will have two simultaneous dialogues, one in finnish and another in english

5-6.30 p.m. EEST

JyYK and SKY: Live Library

The event is about refugees telling their stories in circles of audience and refugees will exchanging among four different circles of audiences.

The event will be in a hybrid format.

Saturday 25.9.

11a.m-5 p.m. EEST

UN Youth of Finland: Main Seminar

The topic of the seminar is inclusive participation and it consists of two parts, first of which is in Finnish and the second in english. In the center of this second part is a seminar titled “Equality of Opportunity - Is There such a Thing?” We will also hear keynotes and greetings, for example from European Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen. The event is held in a hybrid format.

Sunday 26.9

3-5.30 p.m. EEST

UN Youth Cooperation: Journey to Peace

Does technology increase or threaten security? Or why is it important to also talk about climate change when we talk about building peace? And why should education, gender equality and diversity also be central in these discussions? Join us on Sunday 26.9. to find out and give your opinion on these important topics.

This event will bring together 6 youth leaders from different UN organisations across the globe to discuss a topic that is very important to all of us: peace. World peace is more than just the absence of war. It is an inclusive, equitable, and diverse state of being where nations and communities function in harmony. In our discussions, we will look at peace through five different lenses to gain a more thorough understanding and to see the different advantages each of them has as well as the connections between them.

The event is organised in collaboration with United Nations Youth Associations Network (UNYANET), UN student association of Norway, UN Youth Association of Kenya, United Nations Youth and Student Association of Austria - Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs (UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA), Asociación para las Naciones Unidas en España/UN Association of Spain and UN Youth of Finland.

Link to the event can be found here.

Sign up: https://forms.gle/D3hw1ALNaPUPz8H37