We are thrilled to announce that the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY) and the Charter for Compassion (CFC) will co-host an online event on 25 February. In this event, we will discuss the unique capacity and potential of former youth combatants to become agents of peace. For this purpose, we have invited a former member of a non-state armed group in Pakistan, and a researcher and practitioner on conflict dynamics in Central Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
[Date & Time]
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time), Wednesday, 25th February 2026
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., 26th February (Japan Standard Time)
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Pakistan local time）
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (DRC local time)
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (British Standard Time)
[Venue]
Zoom platform *An archive will be made available later.
[Moderator]
- Atma Kaur Narinder, Social Impact Director
[Speakers]
- Abu Aman, Community Worker, Former Member of a Non-State Armed Group in Pakistan
- Julien Vikemba, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sote Pamoja in the Democratic Republic of Congo, African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace representing Central Africa
[Background]
In recent years, the role of youth has been increasingly emphasized in international agendas such as the SDGs, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. However, while the potential and critical role of young people is being recognized, youth who have been involved with non-state armed groups—who may be some of the most essential actors in conflict resolution and peacebuilding—are often overlooked and viewed merely as security threats by the international community.
At this event, we are honored to have two members of GTY: Mr. Abu Aman, who was a former member of a non-state armed group in Pakistan, and Mr. Julien Vikemba, co-founder and executive director of Sote Pamoja in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specializing in supporting the rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reintegration of former combatants. The discussion will be moderated by Ms. Atma Kaur Narinder, Social Impact Director.
Drawing on Aman’s lived experience of involvement with a non-state armed group, and Vikemba’s expertise as a researcher and practitioner in peacebuilding, the discussion will highlight the complex challenges faced by former youth combatants toward reintegration, while also exploring the unique and powerful roles that such youth can play in advancing and sustaining peace.
This co-hosted event by GTY and CFC aims to shed light on the unique potential of youth combatants with lived experience of armed conflict through a dialogue. By amplifying their voices and fostering genuine dialogue, we aim to raise awareness of their critical roles in peacebuilding. Listening to their experiences is essential to deepening global discussions on their rights, as well as on the support needed for their reintegration and empowerment as Agents of Peace.
