Objectives 

The Young Leaders International Peace Council (YLIPC) is a global network of young people from areas of conflict, post-conflict and vulnerable regions, as well as young people from around the world committed to building global security.  The YLIPC focuses on helping young people realize the means to build security at home so that their communities can address the full range of development issues. Peace is a prerequisite for development.  

The Young Leaders International Peace Council has three main functions:

• Foster compassionate leadership: The YLIPC seeks to cultivate leadership skills amongst its members, who can then develop peace building programs locally and regionally, and through this, spreads its messages to larger numbers of young people;

• Educate, inform and inspire: The YLIPC initiates activities that enable the next generation to work toward a culture of peace through various means, including the media, education, inter-cultural and inter-religious programs, etc.

• Service learning: The YLIPC provides opportunities for young people to participate in exchange programs and volunteer in peacebuilding efforts.  The purpose is to advance their knowledge in the field, promote sharing, capacity building, empowerment and resource mobilization.

The Peace Council is committed to working on peacebuilding locally, regionally and worldwide. Its methods are:

• Networking and sharing of information
• Raising awareness of root causes of violence
• Research
• Advocacy
• Organization and participation in seminars and conferences on relevant themes
• Public campaigns
• Youth outreach
• Initiation of Peace Dialogues around the world

During the initial conversations with YLIPC members, the following themes emerged as areas of focus:

• The impact of conflict on young people – i.e. the use of child soldiers, kidnappings;
• The alarming spread of the illegal arms trade – leading to an increase of violence in societies;
• The need to address attitudes toward different racial, ethnic and religious groups before conflict erupts and the need to foster a strong vision of diversity as a positive value, recognizing the inherent worth of all cultural and faith traditions;
• Awareness of the inner, spiritual tools for reconciliation and healing to break cycles of violence and prevent conflict from re-emerging – strengthening such values as courage, integrity and compassion, the necessary ingredients for peacebuilding.

Photos (left to right): Japan and Zambia joint activity - Established by members of the YLIPC; YLIPC Member starts youth organization in Sudan; YLIPC Members - Youth Delegation to the World Bank World Ethics Forum in Oxford.