On December 9th, 2015 the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2250 - the first ever thematic resolution on Youth, Peace and Security. The Resolution is nothing short of historic, as the Security Council recognizes for the first time that young people play an important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of peace.
During the Global Forum in the summer of 2015, over 10,000 young people asked for a Security Council Resolution on youth in the Amman Youth Declaration. The adoption of Resolution 2250 is their success, and marks the culmination of years of advocacy by civil society.
But what exactly does this resolution say?
Why does a Security Council resolution on Youth, Peace and Security matter?
How can young people use this resolution to build more peaceful and safe societies?
UNSCR 2250 (2015) identifies five key pillars for action:
1. Participation
2. Protection
3. Prevention
4. Partnerships
5. Disengagement and reintegration.
What is Security Council Resolution 2250?
UNSCR 2250 is a thematic resolution which deals with the topic of youth (defined as 18- 29 years old in the document) from an international peace and security perspective. It provides a set of guidelines upon which policies and programs will be developed by member states, the UN and civil society. This global policy framework explores how conflict impacts young people’s lives and what must be done to mitigate its effects, as well as how youth can be meaningfully included in creating peaceful communities. For this reason, the resolution is considered a landmark international legal framework that focuses not only on the devastating impact of armed conflicts on youth but also the crucial role that youth play in managing conflict and establishing peace processes. Resolution 2250 is the success of the joint efforts of youth organizations, the UN, civil society actors, and governments working in partnerships.
Why do youth need to play a pivotal role in peacebuilding?
At 1.8 billion, today’s young generation (10-24 year old) is the largest the world has ever known and youth are often the majority of the population in countries affected by armed conflict. Ensuring their active, systematic, and meaningful participation of young people in issues of peace and security is a demographic and democratic imperative. It is also a way of preventing their marginalization and engagement in armed conflict. Their actual contribution and further potential should be valued, recognized and supported as a key to shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation and economic prosperity.
The resolution comes at a time when an estimated 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict-affected settings and against the rise of radicalization and violent extremism, especially among young women and men. The resolution gives a boost to the youth-led peacebuilding and conflict-prevention interventions to build peaceful communities and underpin democratic, inclusive governance.
Is Resolution 2250 legally binding?
Yes. The title of resolution 2250 is “Maintenance of International Peace and Security” which is a reference to Chapter 7, Article 39 in the UN Charter. Security Council Resolutions under Chapter 7 are binding.
“This resolution recognizes that it is imperative for us to invest in young people to fulfill their potential and help achieve peace and security,” said Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. “Let us transform the words in this historic Security Council resolution into concrete actions on the ground. UNFPA is committed to continue working in partnership with young people, Member States and other partners to achieve this.”
To use UN Security Council resolution 2250, you first have to know it.
Below you can find the resolution itself and a few other resources to help you understand the wider arena of youth, peace and security.
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READ the full UN Resolution 2250: ENGLISH | SINHALA | TAMIL
WATCH: Youth Advocate, Thevuni Kotigala speak on the issues faced by Youth in Sri Lanka.
