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What We Do
Initiatives to Establish International Norms

Transforming young people involved in terrorism and armed conflict into Agents of Peace worldwide

Young people involved in terrorism and armed conflict have been overlooked and left behind in the international community. We are working globally with these young individuals to establish international norms that protect their rights and empower them as potential youth, ensuring they can live as agents of peace.

In today’s international landscape, young people are seen as "future leaders," who have power and agency, and are considered crucial within the context of the SDGs, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding efforts. Through our work in conflict zones and conflict-affected countries and regions, we have understood that many young people are involved in non-state armed groups, including violent extremist organizations. Moreover, we have recognized that these young people often turn to violence not due to extremist ideologies, but because of factors such as abduction, forced recruitment, economic and social hardships, or anger toward the government and the international community.

Young people associated with terrorism or armed conflict (Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: YANSAG*) also could play a key role in shaping the future society, just the same with other youth, and have the potential to be unique agents of peace, given their complex backgrounds and experiences. However, they are often viewed as threats or causes of conflict and are ultimately left behind by the international community. This marginalization makes it difficult for them to break free from the chains of violence and can even perpetuate new negative cycles, becoming a significant barrier to sustainable peace in the world.

In response, in 2021, we announced the "Declaration of the Rights of the Youth Affected by Terrorism and Armed Conflicts." Since then, our aim is to establish international norms that protect rights and empowerment of these young individuals, so that they can realize their potential as youth and return to society as agents of peace.

*Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: This term refers to young people aged 18 to 35 who are or have been involved with non-state armed groups, including violent extremist organizations.

Selected Activities in International Norms

Global Advocacy for the Establishment of International Norms

We are organizing international conferences and symposiums to raise awareness of the recognition of YANSAG and their rights and empowerment needs. Our goal is to create spaces for more multifaceted discussions on establishing international norms for them. These conferences involve not only experts, practitioners, government officials, and UN agencies, but also YANSAG themselves, amplifying their voices globally and creating opportunities for their engagement in peacebuilding.

Additionally, leveraging our extensive network and long-standing experience working with YANSAG, we collect testimonies from YANSAG worldwide. This effort seeks to understand their realities, challenges, and the support they need to become agents of peace. Their powerful messages, shaped by their experiences of being involved in terrorism and conflict, are amplified to reach a broader international audience.

Establishment of the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY)

We have launched the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY), a global initiative aimed at spearheading international discussions for the establishment of norms for YANSAG. Members of GTY include YANSAG from various countries, experts and practitioners in relevant fields, as well as victims of terrorism and conflict. GTY engages in global advocacy, gathers testimonies from YANSAG worldwide, organizes international conferences, and drafts proposals and legal texts for resolutions at platforms such as the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council.

The GTY website can be found here:https://gt4y.org/

Development and Implementation of Empowerment Programs for YANSAG to Become Agents of Peace

Based on the testimonies gathered through interviews with YANSAG and the knowledge we have accumulated, we analyze the unique challenges and needs they face in becoming agents of peace in their countries and communities. We develop and implement comprehensive empowerment programs tailored to these specific needs. These flexible programs are adapted to the conditions of active conflict zones, prisons, and reintegration camps, where a lot of YANSAG live. We work in collaboration with educational institutions and organizations that provide skills training and youth empowerment support in various countries and regions.

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