June 26, 2025 - We are delighted to announce that GTY issued a policy paper on the rights and empowerment of Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG) through the Civil 7 (C7) — an official engagement group of the G7, composed of civil society organizations from G7 and G20 countries.
This policy paper is the result of sustained efforts by GTY and Accept International, who, since February 2025, have participated as members of the C7 “Humanitarian Action and Peace” Working Group. In collaboration with civil society actors around the world, we have consistently advocated for the need to establish international norms that recognize and promote the rights and empowerment of YANSAG.
At the C7 Summit held in Ottawa, Canada, in April 2025, we shared on-the-ground experiences from conflict zones, particularly concerning disengagement and reintegration support for YANSAG. The discussions focused on how to ensure their rights and promote their empowerment.
As a result of these contributions, the proposal submitted by GTY and Accept International gained consensus within the working group and was adopted as the only independent policy recommendation presented by the “Humanitarian Action and Peace” Working Group to the G7 governments in the context of conflict resolution.
This policy paper sends a clear message: We must create mechanisms that recognize their unique potential and lived experiences, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to sustaining peace. It marks a significant step toward shedding light on one of the most overlooked populations in peacebuilding and international policymaking.
Moving forward, we will continue to engage with the international community and accelerate our efforts toward establishing international norms related to YANSAG to tackle the root causes of the armed conflicts.
For more information, please refer to the official C7 page via the link below.
https://civil7.org/en/resources
*Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: The term “YANSAG” is defined as “any person aged between 18-35 years, though not strictly limited to this age range, who is or who has been recruited or used by a NSAG (Non State Armed Group) in any capacity”. The status includes various forms of YANSAG, such as defectors, prisoners, detainees, returnees, and ex-combatants.
