ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

In September 2021, UNRCCA continued working with young people from Central Asia and Afghanistan within the framework of its youth initiative, the Preventive Diplomacy Academy. During four online training sessions, Academy participants advanced their knowledge of and skills in:

• Information security in cyberspace;
• Use of social media and internet for countering terrorism;
• Human rights in the context of peace and security;
• Universality of human rights;
• Effective communication skills;
• Public speaking and presentation skills.

During the training sessions, speakers from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and UNRCCA shared their expertise from their respective areas. As a result of this training, the youth participants strengthened understanding of the work of the UNOCT and the implementation of its STRIVE Asia Project and the regional work in the field of cyberspace counter-terrorism. Furthermore, during the training, the participants were informed about the history of the declaration of human rights and modern views in this area. Based on the given examples, the students have worked out the relevant public speaking and presentations skills.

A ten-day social media video campaign around International Day of Peace and International Translation Day demonstrated in different languages the views and positions of current and former Academy members on why peace is so essential for young people.