March 10, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 46 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     YOUTH, PEACE, AND SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 2020

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of 
the Youth, Peace, and Security Act, the first comprehensive legislation 
that would prioritize the inclusion of youth in conflict resolution.
  There are more than 1.8 billion youth in the world. Whether here in 
the U.S. or abroad, youth populations have long been at the forefront 
of building peace in their communities by creating youth-led movements, 
organizations, and networks to mitigate negative effects of conflict 
and to prevent recurring cycles of violence. Inclusive peace processes 
are proven to more holistically address the root causes of violence and 
lead to more sustainable peace.
  Not only is it important to include youth in conflict resolution for 
the sake of inclusivity, it has also been proven to lead to more 
sustainable peace. For example, Somali Youth Learners Initiative 
(``SYLI'') was created to improve Somali youths' access to education 
and to promote civic engagement. After learning leadership and 
nonviolent conflict resolution skills through the program, the students 
were able to implement their own youth-led community projects and 
communicate effectively with politicians about policies that impact 
youth. Youth who gained access to improved secondary school and civic 
engagement opportunities through SYLI and the community projects were 
65 percent less likely to demonstrate moral or material support for 
political violence.
  My bill will codify the roles of a Youth Coordinator at USAID and 
Youth Points of Contact in relevant bureaus; integrate youth 
consultation into program design; and provide financial and technical 
assistance to youth-led initiatives in pursuit of conflict resolution 
and peacebuilding.
  The Youth, Peace, and Security Act is a once-in-a-generation shift in 
U.S. foreign policy that would bring youth voices to the table in 
conflicts around the world. In countries facing conflict, it will be 
the young people who will bear the burden of sustaining peace over 
generations, leading their society from reconciliation to prosperity.
  I am thrilled to be joined in leading this bill by my colleagues, 
Representatives Susan Brooks, Dean Phillips, and John Curtis, and am 
grateful to our other colleagues who have supported this introduction. 
My bill is also endorsed by over 35 non-governmental organizations. I 
urge the House of Representatives to join me in passing this important 
legislation.

                          ____________________