4th Workshop on UN Youth, Peace & Security: Focus on Prevention

NFRJ has been continuously working to promote the agenda of UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda as espoused by the UN Security Council Resolution 2250. Given the need to bring the issues of YPS into the fold of policy-making process and programs in both governmental and non-governmental circles three series of workshops had been organized with the themes: General landscape (Series I), Participation (Series II) and Protection (Series III).

On 5 June, Nepal Forum for Restorative Justice in collaboration with National Youth Council, Youth Initiative, YUWA Nepal, Blind Youth Association Nepal and Youth Advocacy Nepal organized the fourth series of the workshop at National Health Training Center, Teku aiming to look into the pillar of prevention, aspects of prevention and youth in the context of Nepal. A total of 25 participants from relevant youth-led CSOs, government and non-government institutions had attended the workshop including the Vice Chairperson of National Youth Council, Mr. Surendra Basnet who was the chief guest of the workshop. 

Event Summary

Welcoming all the participants and appreciating their presence, Ms. Snehaja Rajya Laxmi Thapa of NFRJ) started the workshop. Brief sharing on the previous series of workshops was done to catch-up with what we have accomplished till now was done along with sharing the theme of the fourth series i.e. prevention. During a short introduction round all the participants introduced themselves along with expressing their interest and curiosity to learn and discuss the topic. 

The session was then carried out by Ms. Dichhya Shrestha (NFRJ) by briefing and requesting the participants to fill out the google survey form on YPS which was disseminated among the youths to understand their point of view on YPS.  Ms. Snehaja welcomed our chief guest Mr. Surendra Basnet to deliver his keynote speech. Session was continued by Ms. Dichhya by sharing the formation of the Nepal YPS coalition and video of YPS was launched.

Remarks from Chief Guest: Mr. Surendra Basnet 

Mr. Surendra Basnet, Vice-Chair of National Youth Council of Nepal shared his remarks as a chief guest. Some major points from his remarks:

• According to the census (2068), 40.35% were youths and now it has risen to 42.56%. The need now is to translate demographic dividend to peace dividend. The need and power of youth participation is being highlighted and acknowledged by the state. Around 14,000 youths participated in the recent local level election. 41% of youths (people below the age of 40) are the representatives of local states such as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members etc. 
• National Youth Council believes that “युवाहरु भविष्यका कर्णधार मात्र नभएर वर्तमान को जिम्मेदार हुन पर्छ” meaning “The youth should not only be the leaders of the future but also be responsible for the present.” If youths are not involved in the stage of policy making, then they have very little feelings of ownership. If there is no feeling of ownership among youths, they feel disconnected from the state. In every development phase of the nation, the nation should take youths along in every possible pathway.
• Understanding the need for separate councils for youths and their development the Ministry of Youths and Sports was established on 2065 B.S which opened a gate for the path to work for the youths and recognizing the importance of youth involvement now they have been encouraging other sectors too such as ministry of labor, employment and social security, ministry of agriculture, ministry of education to plan programs oriented for youths which will empower the them as it is the cross cutting issue for all. 

Conclusion

Understanding and identifying the causes of violence can benefit in prevention of the violence. As the third pillar of UNSCR 2250; Prevention urges all to focus on ways to prevent the violence. We need to find what is causing the violence among us, what are the requirements of youths and how not to make them go towards violence and be involved in the peace process. Encouraging youths to follow their interest, acknowledging their potential, willingness to contribute towards development and accepting their ideas and ensuring their active participation in different phases such as policy making to implement it can prevent youths from violence. 

Discrimination among youths in terms of their age, gender, economic background, caste can trigger and motivate youths towards the track of violence. Respecting individual boundaries, applying their best potential, change in policies and accepting the differences can be beneficial to attain peaceful surroundings and prevent violence.