Youth, Peace and Security

Empowering young people to become agents of peace and social cohesion in the Great Lakes region The "Youth, Peace, and Security" program by JAMAA Grands Lacs is an initiative that places young people at the heart of efforts to prevent conflict, promote peace, and strengthen social cohesion in the African Great Lakes region. Against a backdrop of communal tensions, conflict, disinformation, social divisions, and limited youth participation in decision-making processes, the program views youth not merely as a population affected by crises, but primarily as a force capable of actively contributing to building lasting peace. Our ambition JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to create spaces where young people can express themselves, engage in dialogue, learn, collaborate, and take action on issues affecting their communities. The program supports young people in developing the skills needed to become community leaders, mediators, peace ambassadors, and agents of change. Our key areas of intervention 1. Dialogue and social cohesion Creating spaces for dialogue among young people from diverse backgrounds, communities, and territories to foster listening, mutual understanding, and harmonious coexistence. 2. Civic participation Encouraging young people to participate in discussions and initiatives related to community life, local governance, and issues of peace and security. 3. Conflict prevention Strengthening young people's capacity to identify tensions, understand their root causes, and help prevent them through dialogue, mediation, and community-based initiatives. 4. Combating disinformation and hate speech Developing young people's critical thinking and digital skills to enable them to identify misleading information, curb the spread of hate speech, and promote responsible social media use. 5. Youth-led peace initiatives Supporting young people in designing and implementing concrete actions that address the challenges facing their communities: awareness-raising campaigns, community dialogues, cultural activities, civic actions, and digital initiatives. 6. Youth leadership and empowerment Training and mentoring a new generation of young leaders capable of spearheading initiatives that foster peace, social cohesion, and community development. Youth who do not merely observe, but take action Through this program, JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to shift from an approach where young people are merely beneficiaries of peace initiatives to one where they become the designers, implementers, and ambassadors of these initiatives. Every young person has a voice, an experience, and the capacity to act. The program seeks to channel this energy into positive actions for their communities. Our approach The program is based on a participatory and inclusive approach. Young people are encouraged to draw on their local realities to identify problems, propose solutions, and work collectively on their implementation. Activities may include, among others: • Training sessions and workshops; • Inter-community dialogues; • Awareness-raising campaigns; • Civic debates; • Cultural and sports activities that foster social cohesion; • Community initiatives; • Digital campaigns; • Forums for dialogue between young people and decision-makers; • Support for youth-led projects. Desired impact Through the "Youth, Peace, and Security" program, JAMAA Grands Lacs aims to help foster a generation of young people capable of: • Promoting tolerance and respect for diversity; • Preventing conflict within their communities; • Participating actively in civic life; • Using digital technology responsibly; • Build bridges between different communities; • Drive local peace-building initiatives; • Foster an atmosphere of trust and dialogue. Our Vision A Great Lakes region where every young person can participate in building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient society. JAMAA Grands Lacs believes that peace is not built solely within institutions. It is also built in communities, schools, neighborhoods, and digital spaces—and, above all, between people. That is why we invest in youth: because young people who are engaged today can become the force for peace of tomorrow.