Unseen Youth,
Unleashing Potential

In recent years, the role of youth, including women, has been increasingly emphasized within various agendas such as the SDGs. These young individuals are recognized as "agents of peace." However, many of them are also present within non-state armed groups.

Research conducted on youth involved with non-state armed groups in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, and Colombia reveals that over 80% of individuals in such groups are young people.* Many of these individuals joined these groups as child soldiers and are now adolescents or young adults. Importantly, most of them did not harbor violent or extremist ideologies from birth. Their involvement often stems from factors such as forced recruitment, abduction, economic hardship, hatred due to the loss of peers, or anger towards the international community. These factors are being increasingly recognized in further research conducted in other countries.

Like other youth, those involved in terrorism and armed conflict are future bearers of society. Their unique experiences within the cycle of violence and conflict position them to potentially become powerful and unique agents of peace. Through direct dialogue with such youth, we have heard strong messages and innovative ideas for peace that only they can convey.

However, in the international community, they are often viewed solely as threats, and the importance of their rights and empowerment is not fully recognized. Consequently, they are ultimately excluded from international frameworks that secure their rights and empowerment. The urgent feelings and lessons learned from their involvement in armed conflicts hold unique potential for sustaining peace, which has often been overlooked.

In response to this, Accept International, in collaboration with former members of terrorist organizations or non-state armed groups, practitioners, researchers, and victims of terrorism or conflict, has established the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants.

GTY engages in international advocacy, research, data and testimony collection, and publication on Youth Combatants. It also develops and implements empowerment programs to help these youth become agents of peace and provides grants to support initiatives by or for Youth Combatants globally. The GTY aims to promote and ensure the recognition of their rights and empowerment, enabling each individual to realize their potential as a peacebuilder.