Peace and Conflict Studies - Spring 2014

Peace and Conflict Studies Volume 21, Number 1 43 of which youth voices are represented. Youth are not a homogeneous group that exist in isolation from conflict itself. Youth may be perpetrators as well as victims of violence, mobilized to fuel the conflict as well as motivated to end it. This presents significant challenges for genuine youth engagement in terms of identifying the multiplicity of youth perspectives on the conflict, the politics of who represents youth opinion, and which youth organizations receive funding and resources. Perhaps the greatest challenge is that peacebuilding inevitably involves bringing politically opposed or marginalized groups into dialogue. While peace agreements might represent new working arrangements between political elites, relapses into conflict are common, especially where younger generations do not see or experience the benefits of peace. Sustainable peace is therefore unlikely without youth commitment, since it is the youth who have the capacity to carry a conflict into the next generation. This means that difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions have to be made about how to achieve youth engagement that is inclusive of the full range of youth. From a peacebuilding perspective, consideration of inclusion needs to go beyond measures of equality in terms of representation from the two communities, to examine the politics of which youth voices are being represented. Furthermore, whilst the three case study youth programmes have clearly identified theories of change, it is questionable to what extent these have been designed and articulated from a peacebuilding perspective. The Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) has a strong basis in contact hypothesis theory and follows the key steps outlined by researchers. However, the reluctance to discuss divisive issues leads us to question its transformative potential. In terms of economic contribution to transformation, technical and vocational training schemes often receive criticism in the international literature for failing to increase employment opportunities. It is argued that this may even lead to the creation of grievances in the mismatch between aspirations and reality. Wider Horizons has demonstrated a level of success in this regard, with a relatively high level of graduates progressing into employment. However, it will be important to give consideration to the implications of the current economic downturn for the programme from a conflict and peacebuilding perspective. Finally, Public Achievement’s WIMPS project has perhaps the most explicitly defined peacebuilding goal. New media allow participants to communicate on an equal basis and raise issues that are of relevance to their lives. By putting youth in direct contact with politicians, they can also act as an important mechanism of accountability in support of political transformation.