In a rapidly changing world, youth is one of the main drivers of change. The integration of young people into peace processes is an end in itself, but it is also a way to prevent terrorism, as young people are too often its instrument.

With resolution 2250 (12.2015), the Security Council recognizes the importance and the contribution of young people to the promotion of peace, as well as their related skills and vulnerabilities. The council somehow creates a new social class, youth, with the clear goal of integrating it in peace processes. While the resolution itself is binding, it contains few obligations, mostly relying on incitement. More than all, the resolution is the beginning of a developing process in favor of youth. Therefore the United Nations made two important reports: following resolution 2250 itself, a report on youth and peace. It was partly written by young people themselves. More generally, the UNH also issued a report on the role of young people in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Christophe Barbey made for APRED an analysis (in French) of the text of resolution 2250. He confirms the founding role of the resolution: young people have their place in society and in the construction of peace, therefore they have right to better integration in decision-making processes and in peacekeeping operations. The resolution has some gaps. Its language is indirect: it is made for the young people and the institutions concerned, but it does not address them directly; it mentions neither the strengthening of democracy nor conscientious objection.

It is nonetheless a landmark text, on which it is possible to build to advance the cause of youth and which should be supported and reinforced in the coming years.