The IBP Youth Network is a network of young people around the world committed to working for peace.
They aim to:
- Engage with young people from around the world who share a common vision for peace
- Build a just, sustainable and peaceful future
- Advocate for meaningful and effective engagement of young people in peace processes and peace movements
For more information on their activities, visions and contributions, visit their website under ipbyn.org!
Background
At IPB’s World Congress “Disarm! For a Climate of Peace – Creating an Action Agenda” young activists affiliated with IPB organized an international youth gathering. Nearly 40 young people from every continent, with diverse experiences and perspectives on peace participated in discussions and activities focused on peace, justice and disarmament.
Over 8 months in the run up to the Congress the participants drafted a declaration of the youth gathering through a series of open calls and discussions. This was presented to its participants on the first day of the event and discussed over the weekend.
The declaration, an initial statement, was adopted by participants in the last panel of the gathering.
The two key elements of the declaration were the creation of the IPB Youth Network, and an agreement to organize a world conference on youth, demilitarization and transformation in 2018. Since then, the IPBYN has grown, branched out and flourished, bringing together passionate peace advocates with different backgrounds from all over the world.
2021: 2nd IPB World Peace Congress in Barcelona
We have a planetary crisis: In times of confrontational policies increasingly replacing international cooperation on issues that range from arms control and common security to climate change and global inequality from democratic turns to health emergencies. If the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it is this: Only together can we address all those intertwined challenges humanity faces today. Worse even, if we do not take this crisis as a chance for re-evaluating our common goals, re-thinking our own stance, re-imagining our future world as a place that offers winning chances for everyone instead of first prizes for but a few, we will miss this once-in-a-century opportunity. For hardship bears hope, crisis carves community, and people drive change.
As former German Chancellor Willy Brandt said: ‘Peace is not everything, but without peace, everything is nothing.’ At this pivotal point in history, we can continue on the track we are on, pushing all life on Earth steadily closer to the brink, or we can create a plan of action for a better world. Over the course of three days, from 15-17th October 2021, passionate peace activists, esteemed experts and highly intriguing individuals meet with peace advocates, professionals and civilians, from all around the globe for a lively exchange on ways forward, on new ideas on known problems, fresh images for long-sought change.
With a strong focus on the next generation of peace advocates, there will be a series of events led by Youth organizations from around the globe, ranging from topics such as Climate Change to Global Justice, Military Expenditure to Human Rights. We warmly invite you to join us in the creation of this vision and to work together for its implementation.
Your organization unites lots of amazing peace enthusiasts? You know a skilled Youth speaker adding to the Congress’ drive and diversity with his/her unique insights? Check out the IPBYNs Call for Contributions on their website or get in touch via info@ipb-office.berlin!
2019: World Congress on Youth Demilitarization and Transformation
The World Congress on Youth, Demilitarization and Transformation was held in autumn 2019.
In preparation of the event, a number of pre-conferences took place, mainly in Latin America. A brief summary of the first conference, held in Medellín, Colombia called “Latin American Youth Congress for Peace” can be found here.
Two more pre-conferences were held in Buenos Aires on 3rd-5th July, 2018 and in the City of Mexico in September, 2018.