FOREWORD

Youth of Central Asia. Potential for Peace and Security:

Young people under 29 make up more than 50% of the population of Central Asia and are a massive resource for maintaining peace and development. Still, the potential of youth is largely untapped.

UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA):

Youth Engagement: UNRCCA sees youth engagement as the key to making preventive diplomacy more effective.

Youth Initiative: 

In 2019, UNRCCA launched a Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) for young people in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Consistency with strategies: 

This initiative aligns with UNSC Resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018) on Youth, Peace and Security.

Objectives of the Preventive Diplomacy Academy: 

  • Strengthening connections: UNRCCA is building connections with the region's youth, creating a culture of conflict prevention.
  • Regional dialogue: Every year, UNRCCA organizes a meeting of young leaders - PDA graduates - with deputy ministers of foreign affairs.

Preventive Diplomacy Academy tasks:

  • Raise awareness of UN peace and security activities and the UN Youth Strategy.
  • Broaden the horizons of young people and lay the foundations for a culture of preventive diplomacy.
  • To develop young people's respect for other cultures, beliefs, and customs.
  • Understand the importance of dialogue, partnership and cooperation in conflict prevention.
  • Develop leadership skills to motivate an active life position.

The target audience:

Young people 18-29 years old from Central Asia and Afghanistan, majoring in political science, international relations, law and others.

Gender parity:

50% of the PDA participants selected competitively are young female representatives of Central Asia and Afghanistan. The PDA curriculum emphasizes the Women, Peace and Security UN Agenda.

Regional Alumni Network:

PDA develops and maintains the Regional Alumni Network to foster a culture of peace and promote preventive diplomacy in the region.