December 18, 2024 -We are thrilled to announce that the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY) will host its first online event this December. In this event, GTY members from Sierra Leone and the Philippines—both former combatants from non-state armed groups—will share their backgrounds to join the groups, and discuss empowerment for youth involved in terrorism and armed conflict and their potential to be agents of peace.
[Date & Time]
Monday, 23rd December 2024, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (GMT)
[Venue]
Zoom platform * An archive will be made available later.
[Speakers]
- Dr. Yosuke Nagai, Executive Director of Accept International
- Mr. Abdul Wahid Sesay, Deputy project coordinator of EducAid, Former combatant of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone
- Ms. Nahara Khairiya Sittie Naura Hamim, University student, Former Combatant of a non-state armed group in the Philippines
[Background］
In recent years, the role of youth has been increasingly emphasized in international agendas such as the SDGs and the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. However, while the critical role of young people is being recognized, youth who have been involved with non-state armed groups—who may be some of the essential actors in conflict resolution and peacebuilding—are often overlooked and viewed merely as threats by the international community.
This event aims to shift the narrative around these young individuals—not as mere threats, but as valuable contributors to peacebuilding, shaped by their experiences in conflict zones. Through meaningful dialogue and discussion with former combatants, we aim to explore how we, as the global community, can better support efforts in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
