IF YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE USED TO FOMENT VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT,
THE VERY SAME YOUNG PEOPLE
CAN BE USED TO BRING ABOUT
PEACE
Gwendolyn Myers
Youth Peace advocate, Liberia
Children and youth make up almost 1.8 billion of the world population. At least one in four is affected by violence or armed conflict. Child victims of terrorist trafficking continue to dramatically increase these unfortunate statistics. The CRTG Working Group recognizes that to face terrorist abuses against children, increased participation, inclusion and empowerment of young people is not only auspicable but fundamental.
For this reason, we have launched "Crossroads" as a conjunct venture with NextGen 5.0; a non-profit and virtual think tank committed to inspire the next generation of peace and security leaders to build a more secure and prosperous world. Through this project, the CRTG Working Group and NextGen 5.0 provide opportunities to young men and women to engage in research, develop critical-thinking and contribute in making a difference for children and youth affected by terrorism in their immediate communities and wider societies. Crossroads promotes youth agency and a constructive vision of their role as leaders and change-makers against exploitation by terrorist actors and violent extremist groups.