Thread by @KasiitaMark

Youth, unlike many other “unchanging” forms of identity (such as ethnicity or race), is a transitional phase of life. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

The idea of youth as a transitionary period is sometimes taken to imply that the formal markers of chronological age might be the most consistent signposts for defining young people. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

Although young people share many of the same peace and security challenges as society at large, there are unique dimensions to being young that expose young people to distinct challenges and opportunities. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg
@UNFPAUganda @AcordUganda

Many young men and women asserted that their interests, identities and experiences as young people were inseparable from their stake in development, exercise of human rights, gender-differentiated needs, and experiences of conflict and violence. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

In an increasingly globalized world shaped by pervasive concerns about terrorism, organized transnational crime and extremist violence, perspectives on youth are distorted by contagious stereotypes that associate young people with violence. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

The overarching consequence of these negative stereotypes is that they contribute to the marginalization and stigmatization of youth by framing young people as a problem to be solved and a threat to be contained. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

Moreover, these myths and assumptions have fuelled “policy panic”, particularly as it relates to the “youth bulge”, youth migration and violent extremism. This detrimentally skews youth, peace and security programmatic responses and .... #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg

..... priorities towards hard security approaches and away from prevention, ignoring the fact that most young people are in fact not involved in violence. #Youth4Peace
#PeaceNotViolenceUg