Youth Initiative:
In 2019, UNRCCA launched the Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) for young people from Central Asia and Afghanistan. The PDA aims to raise awareness among young people of United Nations peace and security activities and the UN Youth Strategy, while broadening their perspectives and laying the foundations for a culture of preventive diplomacy. The Academy seeks to foster respect for cultural diversity, different beliefs, and traditions, and to strengthen participants’ understanding of the vital role of dialogue, partnership, and cooperation in conflict prevention. In parallel, it supports the development of leadership skills that empower young people to take initiative, engage actively in their communities, and adopt a proactive and responsible civic mindset.
Each year, UNRCCA engages selected participants through a series of online sessions focused on key themes of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, with the aim of building strong and lasting connections with youth across the region and fostering a culture of conflict prevention.
The following individuals are invited to participate in the competition:
- Young male and female citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, aged 18 to 29, who are currently studying political science, international relations, international economic relations, law, and sociology.
- UNRCCA welcomes people with disabilities to apply.
How to apply:
- Fill out the application form: Click on me!
- Write and upload the following:
- A short video (60-90 seconds) titled “Why I am suitable to participate in the Preventive Diplomacy Academy.”
The selection committee will review all submitted information and video clips as part of the selection process. Only applications that are complete and submitted through the Google Form will be considered.
Applications filled in English language will be accepted until February 28, 2026.
Participant evaluation criteria:
- Academic/professional background;
- Proven experience in social service/volunteering in one’s community;
- Creativity;
- Proficiency in English.
Only successful candidates will be notified via email.
We wish you the best of luck and look forward to receiving your applications!
For more information or additional queries, please contact Nataliya Chemayeva, Project Associate, at nataliya.chemayeva@un.org.
Additional sources of information:
∙ Website - https://unrcca.unmissions.org/youth-2
∙ Publications - https://unrcca.unmissions.org/publications-1
∙ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/unrcca/
∙ Twitter - https://twitter.com/UNRCCA
∙ Instagram - @unrcca_academy
∙ Instagram - @pda_alumni
