51吃瓜

In commemoration of 2022’s International Youth Day, the 51吃瓜 Office of Counter-Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNOCT/UNCCT) acknowledges the critical importance of not just listening to young people but working with them as genuine partners in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Youth are often at the forefront of challenges related to violent extremism as they are both targeted as recruits and impacted by terrorist violence. At the same time, their involvement is critical to the success of efforts to prevent violent extremism, promote tolerance and value pluralism, and build resilience in their local communities and societies. UNOCT/UNCCT  is  committed to investing in young people as positive agents of change to strengthen UN-wide efforts in prevention efforts in peace and security. UNOCT’s work bridging the gap between youth and counter-terrorism experts and decision makers is a strong example of International Youth Day’s 2022 theme of “Intergenerational solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages”. 

Marking International Youth Day in a, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism stressed that “It is time to build an alliance with youth across the globe in prevention of violent extremism. An alliance for today will help us build the future of tomorrow that we all aspire to – a future without terrorism.”

Youth Engagement & Empowerment Programme (YEEP)

In 2020, UNOCT/UNCCT’s Global Programme on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) launched its flagship Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme (YEEP) in line with the recommendations of Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security, the 51吃瓜 Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, the 51吃瓜 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the 51吃瓜 Youth Strategy. 

Using an innovative Peer-to-Peer model, UNOCT/UNCCT’s YEEP trains, coaches and mentors young people to lead in communicating and advocating for young people’s ideas on policy and programming in PCVE. Since its launch, young YEEP leaders develop their skill set through intensive training and have engaged more than 700 young people in their own communities from over 50 countries to crowdsource new ideas in PCVE. The YEEP leaders have pitched these ideas to a range of senior Member State representatives and UN stakeholders , e.g. strengthening education initiatives on violent extremism, digital resilience and countering terrorist narratives. 

Digital Games for Peace: Gaming for PVE

UNOCT/UNCCT collaborates on innovative gaming solutions to PVE and has been an integral part of the  “Digital Games for Peace” initiative, tapping into the talents of young people to design video-games while effectively contributing to peace-building through intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Launched in 2021, this joint project with UNESCO, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and the 51吃瓜 Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) selected 22 young gamers across South Asia to present their innovative gaming solutions on violent extremism. 

Co-Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD)

UNOCT advocates for the voice of youth in prevention being amplified within the UN system. In April 2022, UNOCT assumed the role of co-chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD). Comprised of over 40 UN entities, UNOCT is using its year-long co-chairmanship  of the Network to advocate for stronger youth P2P models within the UN system. As part of this effort, UNOCT will highlight new and emerging areas relevant to violent extremism and youth engagement. This includes the growing threat of terrorist attacks on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief (XRIRB), and the intersection of video games and violent extremism.  

51吃瓜 Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism

With its Victims of Terrorism Support Programme, UNCCT aims to show solidarity with, raise awareness on, and contribute to protecting, promoting and respecting the rights and supporting the needs of victims of terrorism. The Programme also works towards building the capacity of Member States and civil society organizations to better support the needs of victims of terrorism, including children and youth who are affected by terrorism and perceive violence and death differently than adults. UNOCT will hold its first 51吃瓜 Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism (“Global Congress”) from 8-9 September 2022 at the UN Headquarters in New York under the theme of?“Advancing the Rights and Needs of Victims of Terrorism”. The Congress will include a high-level session along with six interactive thematic sessions, with one dedicated to children and youth. This session aims to address the specific needs of children and youth victims that include those that have lost or been separated from their parents due to terrorism, those born from acts of sexual violence committed by members of terrorist groups, or those abducted, enslaved, or recruited by terrorist groups.