“Individuals carry culture and stories that ultimately shape national behavior or institutional culture. [Sustained Dialogue]
reaches beyond formal institutions to include ‘whole bodies politic’ – everyday community members as well as formal leaders”
(Sustained Dialogue Institute). “Sustained Dialogue is based on the theory that relationship-building will lead to strategic,
relevant, sensitive and informed actions and choices; and actions can only be collaboratively implemented by cohesive groups”
(LPI, 2017, p. 9).
Event Description:
This lesson is primarily based on these sources:
•
•
•
•
•
•
“‘Being and Becoming a Peacebuilder’: Insights from 20,000 Hours of Youth-Led Dialogues in the Horn
of Africa,” Submission to the Progress Study on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on
Youth, Peace and Security, Life & Peace Institute, (September 2017).
“Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security Mandated by Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015),”
Update & Key Messages Information Paper.
“UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security,” S. Kim, Infographic.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) [S/RES/2250 (2015)], (9 December 2015).
More information about the process of Sustained Dialogue can be found at the Sustained Dialogue Institute.
This institute also offers free resources about the dialogue process.
For more information on the randomized study about the use of Sustained Dialogue at Addis Ababa
University in Ethiopia, see this article: “Dialogue and Interethnic Trust: A Randomized Field Trial of
‘Sustained Dialogue’ in Ethiopia,” I. Svensson & K. Brounéus, Journal of Peace Research 50(5), p. 563-575,
(2013).
Additional Resources:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Life & Peace Institute: life-peace.org
Peace and Development Center (Ethiopia): pdcethiopia.org
Youth4Peace Global Knowledge Portal: https://www.youth4peace.info/ProgressStudy (This portal is a
partnership between the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Peacebuilding Support Office
(PBSO), Search for Common Ground (SFCG), and United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY).)
UN Division for Social Policy and Development Youth: Resources on YPS
“Guiding Principles on Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding,” UN Inter-Agency Network on
Youth Development.
“Practice Note on Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding.” UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth
Development, (January 2016).
Additional Comments:
Youth, Peace and Security has implications in the United States as well, with the rising generation of
millennials, of which I am apart. Unfortunately, millennials have often been negatively stereotyped by
older generations without understanding or empathy for our circumstances. Many of us graduated during
the economic recession and experienced unemployment and exclusion when job opportunities were
lacking. Many also care deeply about societal issues and social justice. However, with economic limitations,
it can be difficult to garner support to pursue those endeavors. Nonetheless, numerous millennials in the
U.S. have mobilized on various issues such as racial and gender equality and public safety. The voices of
these diverse young women and men need to be listened to and included in order to bridge the political
tensions currently dividing the United States, to work towards sustainable peace in this country, too.
Lesson Author: Katrina Gehman, Lessons Learned Analyst (Ctr), PKSOI
Table of Contents | Quick Look | Contact PKSOI
30