It will come as no surprise to Germ readers everywhere that youth culture makes a significant, global impact on everything imaginable, from the latest style trends to technology to diplomacy! Yes, that’s right — even diplomacy. In fact, some would argue that the voices of the younger generation aren’t present enough in the decision-making processes that shape policy decisions that affect us all, whether locally or globally.
The planet needs your voice now more than ever as the world faces pressing social and political challenges — problems and questions that the next generation will inherit. This year, raise your voice, harness the energy of your friends, neighborhood, or class, and Resolve to Build Peace in 2015!
You may already be working on issues of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Every time you volunteer your time for a cause you care about, you wage peace. Every time you speak up when things aren’t right at school between friends, you are mediating a conflict. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to record and celebrate your important contributions. If you have thought about getting involved somehow but just haven’t found the right time, now is the time.
The Global Peacebuilding Center at the US Institute of Peace is a place for the emerging peacebuilders (you!) to learn more about peace, conflict resolution, and peacemaking worldwide. Everyone is needed on Team Peace. No act is too small to matter.
For the third year in a row, youth are invited to participate in the “I Resolve to Build Peace” initiative! “I Resolve” is a challenge to all of us to think critically about how to get involved in peacebuilding work, whether at home or abroad, and then to take one action, just one, to build peace in the new year. Your mission can be accomplished in 3 easy steps:
1. Identify one action to build peace in 2015! Set a date. Make a plan.
2. Share your resolution by posting it to the Global Peacebuilding Center’s Facebook page (Global Peacebuilding Center at USIP) or by tweeting it with the accompanying hashtag #IResolve4Peace. You can simply write your resolution, or you can creatively illustrate it!
3. Later in 2015, share your peacebuilding story about how you took action!
The ways to create a more peaceful world are as diverse as the people in it. Maybe “I Resolve” becomes a class project, a personal manifesto, or a community’s call to action; you decide. For some ideas, check out these sources of inspiration to join the work of peacebuilding, to review resolutions from last year, and to discover ways to post about your work. Above all, have fun, try something new, and peacefully embrace 2015!