International Youth Day: how our Global Youth Ambassadors are building peace and inclusion

Pooja Gya
Our GYA Pooja Mankhedkar working with children in India (Pooja Mankhedkar)

Barriers to education, Children in conflicts, Discrimination of marginalised children, Education funding, Education in emergencies, Girls' education, Global Youth Ambassadors, Refugees and internally displaced people, Right to education, Technology and education

On the eve of International Youth Day on August 12, we celebrate the inspiring work being done by Theirworld's network of young activists.


There is an increasing understanding that young people are critical actors in all areas of international development. 

As conflict and unrest across the globe continues, it is apt that this year’s International Youth Day theme is “Youth Building Peace”. 

It is a recognition of the essential role youth have to play in building peace and promoting security, especially as often fragile and conflicted-affected territories are largely comprised of young people.

There is currently the largest youth population in history and their inclusion in the peace and security agenda is vital to fostering sustainable peace and building inclusive societies.

Insecurity has a sustained and negative impact on education both in terms of access and quality. However, it can also act as an important bulwark against violence and conflict – evidence from UNESCO shows that the risk of conflict can be halved if the percentage of young people in secondary education is doubled from 30% to 60% in countries with a high youth population. 

Our Global Youth Ambassadors – 500 of them in more than 80 countries – advocate and campaign for educational change – and many of them work in peace-building. 

Here – in their own words – is some of the amazing work they have been doing over the past year in conflict prevention, peace-building, inclusion and social justice. 

Gya From Cameroon Fideline Mboringong2

Fideline Mboringong from Cameroon

"I marvelled at the courage and strength of the girls who are using their stories to inspire change in their communities."

Read her blog about the HerStory summit

As a survivor and an activist, my job is not to change the world but to do my little bit and make sure that I leave this world a little more beautiful than when I arrived. Mohamed Sidibay from Colombia
If you want a bright and peaceful future of your nation, educate the youth. Mudassir Hassan from Pakistan
Peace is not something without, it is within. Peace begets peace and it starts from YOU. Isaac Success from Nigeria
Peace is cultivated,built and sustained through [taking] a win-win approach. That is how we flourish together collectively as a world of peace, with peace and for peace. Enock Nkuranga from Uganda
Fresh initiatives and fresh ideas comes from a fresh mind, it is in a youth fresh idea lies. Giving the youth the opportunity to thrive is an opportunity to refresh the world. OjoOluwa Ibiloye from Nigeria
Peace is not a destination; it is a journey. There is no way that can lead to peace. Peace is the way! Anando Ghosh from India
Together as one, we have to fight against all odds and work towards the fulfilment of children’s rights. Abhilash Borah from India


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