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1. Why are young people key to building lasting peace?

Peace cannot be built for youth; it must be built with them. Young people are the vast majority in many conflict-affected countries. Many of them have lived through conflict and understand the urgency of change. Their perspectives, innovation, and deep community roots make them indispensable partners in breaking cycles of violence and building peace that endures.

2. What is your main area of work with youth?

UN Peacekeeping recognizes young people as essential partners in peace. Its missions create space for them to engage in peace processes and mechanisms aimed at reducing violence, and to be part of local protection committees that keep their communities safe. They help to build young people's capacity to engage constructively in politics and civil society, so their voices become an integral part of long-term peace and reconciliation efforts.

3. Name one way UN peacekeeping empowers young people to become agents of peace.

Because youth are critical to sustainably ending conflict, peacekeeping missions work to empower their participation in peace and political processes. In the Central African Republic, the peacekeeping mission, , provides trainings for young people to improve their skills ¨C including in political leadership and decision-making ¨C and opportunities to lead peacebuilding efforts in their communities.

4. What's the one key thing that young people are doing today that gives you hope for peace?

In conflict zones around the world, young people are leading peace efforts ¨C as peacekeepers, peacebuilders and community leaders. In , they are courageously leading grassroots peacebuilding initiatives and organizing inter-community dialogues to openly discuss the roots of violence and to find a way forward through reconciliation. Young people are helping to foster mutual understanding, forgiveness and peaceful co-existence, laying the foundation for sustainable peace from the ground up.

5. Finish this sentence: Youth are powerful because¡­

Youth are powerful because they are often the majority, and they have the energy and passion to transform adversity into agency. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many young people are shaping political, social and security dynamics as catalysts for peace. Engaging them as a powerful force for positive change is critical to ending conflict and foster lasting peace.