Meng, Curtis, Phillips and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Include Youth in International Peace Building and Conflict Prevention

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), John Curtis (R-UT), Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Youth, Peace, and Security Act (H.R. 4838), the first comprehensive, national legislation that would prioritize the inclusion of youth in conflict resolution.

The legislation would direct the President to create a Youth Coordinator position at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is an independent agency of the U.S. government that leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.

This coordinator would lead the U.S. government policy effort related to youth to ensure the meaningful participation of youth in conflict prevention, management, and resolution, and post-conflict activities. The coordinator would also be required to submit an initial plan to Congress, and once every five years after that, on steps to accomplish those goals. The whole-of-government strategy will:

Prioritize funding programs that provide training and technical assistance to young people;
Integrate youth consultation in program design;
Provide financial and technical support to youth-led initiatives;
Support youth peacebuilders and encourage development of youth-inclusive transitional justice mechanisms;
Apply age-disaggregated analysis to identify barriers to youth participation and include young people in assessment of U.S. peace initiatives;
Include agency specific implementation plans that anticipate contributions of youth; and,
Include regional plans in consultation with each regional bureau within USAID.

The bill would also expand microgrants to youth leaders and create a Youth, Peace, and Security fund to provide grants, emergency assistance, and technical assistant to youth-led civil society organizations.

"There are so many youths in the world today and we would benefit greatly from their voices, experiences, and views in matters of war and peace," said Rep. Meng. "The Youth, Peace, and Security Act is a once-in-a-generation shift in U.S. foreign policy that would bring youth voices to the table in conflicts around the world. In countries facing conflict, it will be the young people who will bear the burden of sustaining peace over generations, and leading their society from reconciliation to prosperity. My legislation will create a Youth Coordinator position at USAID who is charged with overseeing all youth-related activities in the government; this will better align federal resources to realize the goal of worldwide peace. I thank my colleagues who joined me in introducing this monumental piece of legislation and I urge the rest of my colleagues--on both sides of the aisle--to join me in bringing youth voices into peace processes."

"As the Member of Congress representing the youngest Congressional District in the country, I am keenly aware that engagement from the youth population benefits society as a whole," said Rep, Curtis. "I am proud to help introduce the Youth, Peace, and Security Act, which establishes a Youth Coordinator at USAID to ensure that the U.S. promotes the inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in mediation and negotiation processes that prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict overseas."

"For too long, world leaders have ignored the voices of our young people," said Rep. Phillips. "With this bill, we are working to ensure that youth leaders have a seat at the table to help resolve conflicts that affect them and their communities. The Youth Coordinator position represents an investment in the leaders of tomorrow, as they continue to participate in peacebuilding today."

"It is past time to recognize the significance of youth involvement in global peacebuilding and conflict relief efforts," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "Youth participation is a key component of U.S. peace and security strategy. The Youth, Peace and Security Act would establish a framework to increase meaningful youth participation in conflict-ridden areas and provide a dedicated funding stream to support underrepresented youth peacemakers worldwide."

"Re-introduction of the YPS Act in Congress shows the growing interest of leaders to cultivate the power of young people to create a better, safer, and more peaceful world," said Mena Ayazi, Program Officer, Search for Common Ground and Co-Chair, U.S. Youth, Peace and Security Coalition. "The leadership of Representatives Meng, Fitzpatrick, Phillips, and Curtis not only shows bold action and commitment on behalf of the U.S. to elevate youth peacebuilders, but has inspired an entire generation to mobilize for peace worldwide. Thank you for championing the YPS agenda!"

"One in four youth are living in or otherwise affected by armed conflicts and violence," said Megan Schleicher, Senior Associate for Policy and Advocacy, Alliance for Peacebuilding and Co-Chair, U.S. Youth, Peace and Security Coalition. "The Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Act will be catalytic in advancing the global YPS movement, promoting U.S. interests, and providing youth and youth-led movements the necessary support to prevent violence in their communities and build sustainable peace for their futures."

"The Youth, Peace, and Security Act comes at a vital time in recognizing, protecting, and empowering the agency of young people around the world to make positive change," said Vahe Mirikian, Assistant Director for U.S. Policy, Peace Direct and Government Advocacy Subcommittee Co-Chair, US Youth, Peace and Security Coalition. "Youth are at the forefront of addressing and preventing violence."