Youth Peace Summit

About

YOUTH PEACE SUMMIT

In celebration of 10 years Resolution 2250 Youth, Peace and Security of the United Nations, the Rotary, Ithaka Academie and the Hague University of Applied Sciences have co-organized the first ever Youth Peace Summit in the Hague.

120 international youth based in the Hague received an unique peacebuilding experience with as mission to write a Youth Peace Manifesto. This manifesto shall be handed over physically to an official representative of NATO, during the historical NATO summit of June 24-25.

The Youth Peace Summit was attended by 43 different nationalities:

Continents
Africa: 8
Americas: 6
Asia: 10
Europe: 19
Total: 43

CONTEXT

MISSION STATMENT

WAR AND CONFLICTS

We live in a troubled world. There is a war going on in Europe, major long-term conflicts in the Middle East, bloody civil wars in Africa and political unrest in several places and areas elsewhere in the world. Human rights and fundamental values are being increasingly eroded in many countries.

PEOPLE WANT PEACE AND STABILITY

Warfare is against the will of people. People want to live in peace and stability. Conflicts must be resolved at the negotiating table. A comprehensive, just and lasting peace has to be based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, whereas a stable society functions according to the principles of tolerance, solidarity, dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation. European Union cooperation, a supranational framework for intensive regional cooperation that began after the Second World War, is a good example of how to ensure peace and stability in an area – the European continent – that has struggled with wars and conflicts for centuries.

GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE

Politicians have a mandate to represent their citizens in dealing with societal problems. They do not always succeed in this. Therefore, it makes sense to periodically seek the opinion of the citizens on important matters. With all the recent geopolitical developments in mind, and in light of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250, young people should have a voice. It is their world, it is their future and they have a right to voice their views and recommendations on how to achieve a peaceful and stable society.

YOUTH PEACE SUMMIT

The Hague Youth Peace Summit is a first and unique opportunity for young people to discuss global peace and justice challenges, and to express an opinion about possible solutions. The Summit is scheduled adjacent to the NATO summit in The Hague, and will take place on 23rd and 24th June 2025. The purpose of the Youth Summit is to bring 120 young people from diverse backgrounds together in the global city of peace and justice, to develop their thinking and propose solutions . After a full day of peace workshops and teambuilding activities, these young people shall formulate a collective youth peace manifesto, to be handed over – if possible – to the Secretary-General of NATO Mark Rutte, during the NATO summit.

THE HAGUE AS CITY OF PEACE AND JUSTICE

The Hague is the international capital of peace and justice. The Hague’s status is illustrated by the fact that respectively the United Nations International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, EUROPOL (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation) and Eurojust (European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation) have their seat in the city.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2250

Moreover, 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security Resolution 2250 of the Security Council of the United Nations, that aimed to advocate for the participation, protection, prevention, partnership and reintegration of youth in peace processes, peacebuilding and approaches to peace in general.

ROTARY AND THUAS

The Youth Peace Summit is jointly organised by Rotary Clubs in the The Hague region, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS).

Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million members who strive to create a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change —around the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Worldwide more than 45.000 Rotary clubs work together to respectively promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; grow local economies; and to protect the environment.