Youth Participation

The Centre is deeply committed to a strategy that emphasizes the active participation of young people in efforts to prevent and transform violent political transitions. This focus is particularly relevant in Ethiopia, where, since the 1960s, political upheavals have consistently been driven by the energetic involvement of the youth, such as university students. Youth engagement has taken various forms, ranging from participation in armed rebellions to involvement in non-violent civil movements, as witnessed more recently by the Qeerroo movements from 2014 to 2018.

It's crucial to understand that any process aimed at transforming conflicts must comprehensively address the complex role of the youth. They are not only victims and perpetrators in these scenarios but also vital agents capable of influencing both conflicts and peace. Overlooking this multifaceted role of the youth could severely undermine the efficacy of such transformational efforts. Furthermore, failure to integrate the perspectives and experiences of the younger generation would result in a critical gap, neglecting the intergenerational dynamics essential to the dialogue and transitional justice processes. The centre's approach, therefore, is to ensure that the voices and contributions of the youth are not just included but are central to shaping these peacebuilding initiatives, recognizing their unique position and potential in driving sustainable and inclusive change.