2024-10-27-UNDP-跨越世代_通往青年包容性气候_和平与安全议程的途径（英）_31页_13mb

Summary of Bridging Generations: Pathways to a Youth-Inclusive Climate, Peace and Security Agenda

Core Content

This policy paper by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) explores the complex relationship between climate change, peace, and security (CPS), with a specific focus on the role and impact of young people in these areas. It argues for the meaningful inclusion, engagement, and empowerment of youth in CPS policies and programs, emphasizing their critical role as both victims and agents of change.

Main Points

1. The Nexus of Climate, Peace and Security (CPS)

• Climate change is a significant threat to human security, economic development, and social stability.
• It intensifies existing vulnerabilities, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS), and can contribute to new conflicts such as land disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, and transboundary tensions.
• Young people are disproportionately affected by these risks, including forced migration, unemployment, and exposure to violence.

2. Impact of Climate-Related Security Risks on Young People

• Forced Migration and Displacement: Climate-induced mobility can exacerbate the vulnerability of young people and strain social cohesion in both origin and destination communities.
• Economic Instability: Climate change can reduce employment opportunities and contribute to social unrest, especially in regions with high youth unemployment.
• Involvement in Crime and Extremism: Young people may be drawn into illicit activities or extremist recruitment due to economic hardship and lack of opportunity, perpetuating cycles of insecurity and conflict.
• Risk to Activists: Young people involved in climate and peace advocacy face risks such as violence, intimidation, and criminalisation, particularly in regions affected by environmental degradation.
• Gender Disparities: Young women and girls are disproportionately impacted by climate change, facing increased risks of sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and forced marriage.

3. Strategic Importance of Youth Engagement in CPS

• Young people are essential stakeholders in CPS initiatives and should be included in decision-making and policy development.
• Their involvement is crucial for building resilience, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that CPS frameworks are inclusive and responsive to their needs.
• Engaging youth can help reshape harmful narratives and support the development of more effective and equitable solutions.

Key Recommendations

• Enhance Access to Information and Resources: Provide young people with access to CPS-related information, education, and skills development to build awareness and capacity.
• Engage in Decision-Making Processes: Involve young people in CPS policy and programming to ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives are integrated.
• Foster Intergenerational Dialogue: Encourage collaboration between young people and older generations to bridge knowledge and experience gaps.
• Leverage Innovation and Technology: Use innovative communication strategies and technologies to amplify youth voices in CPS discourse.
• Targeted Investments: Increase investments in youth-centric livelihood opportunities that address climate-related security risks.
• Research and Data Collection: Expand research on the links between CPS and youth, including climate activism in FCAS and the YPS agenda.

Early Findings from UNDP Initiatives

• Initial insights from UNDP's CPS initiatives across more than ten countries in five regions show that young people are actively involved in climate and peacebuilding efforts, yet their inclusion remains limited.
• The paper identifies both challenges and opportunities in current CPS programming, suggesting that future efforts should be more youth-sensitive and inclusive.
• Youth perspectives and experiences are vital in shaping effective and sustainable CPS policies and programs.

Conclusion

The paper underscores the importance of recognizing young people as key partners in addressing climate-related security risks. It calls for a more integrated, youth-inclusive CPS agenda that supports their empowerment and ensures their meaningful participation in decision-making and policy development. By doing so, UNDP aims to create a more resilient and peaceful future for all, especially for the most vulnerable young populations.

Key Statistics

• Over 698 million young people (15–34 years) live in FCAS, representing 67% of the population in these settings.
• In South Sudan, 72% of the population is under 30 years old.
• 53.40% youth unemployment in Nigeria (2022).
• 60% of the population in the Lake Chad Basin is young.
• 51% of recruits in Niger cited climate change-related difficulties as a factor in their recruitment (2022).
• 177 environmental activists were killed globally in 2022, with 88% in Latin America and the Caribbean.

References and Support

• The paper draws on literature mapping, semi-structured interviews with 19 UNDP experts, and data from UNDP's CPS portfolio.
• It references UNIDIR surveys, UN Security Council meetings, and the Escazú Agreement as important frameworks for protecting environmental defenders and promoting youth participation.
• The UN Youth Strategy (Youth 2030) is aligned with the paper's call for youth inclusion and empowerment in CPS efforts.