NATO Summit 2025. International relations were being rewritten, tensions were on the rise, and notions of peace felt distant and easily dismissed as idealism.
In an ever more jaded world, the dominant voice was regressive, affirming nationalism and military spend. We need an alternative. Perspectives which looked forward, not back.
In short, the youth, defined by us to be 15–35, have been excluded from the decision-making process that will go on to define our lives disproportionately.
Rotaries based in The Hague sought to create a space in which diverse youth from all backgrounds; race, religion, nation, class, and ability, could engage with one another, discuss elements of peacebuilding, and create a manifesto to be delivered to NATO.
Perhaps an ambitious goal in and of itself, to tackle a global institution and redefine what it meant to hold international relations as the people within our own countries and communities.
What we did not account for was the power of our approach; to prioritise the youth’s own volution to drive the process, we developed a guiding philosophy of “for the youth and by the youth.”
We wanted to draw upon what we as young people possess, not the experience gathered over years of dedication, but potential, built upon the energy generated by possibility and the collaboration inherent within that process.
We used the UN’s 2250 to structure our ambition beyond borders, to create common goals, realising our value in the diversity of perspective we were able to bring together.
Every aspect of our summit would be developed by youth working together. We saw how rapid moments of growth happened in this environment. Responsibility assumed, issues addressed constructively, and free-flowing creative processes. Our shared vision and belief in one another made that first summit a success.
A manifesto was handed to The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 8th 2026.
The strong bond of relationships developed between the volunteer team and participants, a willingness to collaborate and explore the nature of peacebuilding; not a tokenistic or idealist peace, but a grounded, practical approach. We understand that our power lies within our own agency, not to ask for change but to create it. We acknowledge peacebuilding in its many differing strands, coming together to weave a tapestry of positive change and constructive difference.
This atmosphere of collaboration was unique. We were quick to recognise this as our core resource: to give opportunity and responsibility befitting the potential of this space and the dedicated people within.
In 2026 we held another summit. We doubled down on our strengths, increasing opportunities to express ideas and build relationships, increased the diversity present within our cohort, worked on partnerships with organisations both local and international, who could help ground our ideals in practice, and developed a charter to define our core values and purpose moving forward.
We believe peace is not built by chance—it is built through meaningful encounters that change how we see ourselves and one another. Our goal is to create a global movement of young peacebuilders and refine our methodology so that these “lightning-in-a-bottle” moments of connection, courage, and transformation become the norm rather than the exception. In doing so, we can unlock the collective power of a generation to build lasting peace.