ARRIVING & PLENARY INVESTING IN YOUTH, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY May 8, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This mile-stone compels us to reflect on the lessons of history – and to act with renewed urgency in the face of rising rightwing extremism and aggression around the world. Today, the question of how young people can meaningfully contribute to peace and democracy is more pressing than ever. Youth4Peace is an international initiative rooted in dialogue, exchange, and mutual understanding. It offers a platform to 80 young people from 26 countries to come together, share experiences, and collaboratively develop concrete steps to shape a peaceful and democratic future based on their unique perspectives. After World War II, youth exchanges across countries helped foster a new spirit of understanding and cooperation in Europe. They promoted values like human rights, empathy, and peace. Since then, countless committed people – many of them volunteers – have been working to give millions of young people the chance to meet, learn from each other, and build lasting friendships across borders and crises. Today, youth work, education and civil society form a strong network across Europe. This network supports solidarity and a shared European identity. It allows young people to experience intercultural learning, international coop- eration, and to develop their own skills and confidence in new environments. A majority of young people would like to take part in an international youth exchange during their youth, be it in school or in the field of non-formal education. But still, only a minority of young people take part in such a shaping experience. Youth exchanges must be open to all young people. They should be more inclusive, accessible, and truly available to everyone – because Europe’s peaceful and democratic future depends on the partner- ship with its young generation.
80
YOUNG PEOPLE
26 COUNTRIES
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