Durant trois jours à Montpellier, plus de 120 jeunes venus d’une quarantaine de pays et de tous les continents ont travaillé en séance plénière ou en ateliers dans le cadre du Sommet des jeunes pour la paix et un avenir durable, placé sous l’égide des Nations-Unies. Cet événement mondial s’est achevé par l’adoption d’une déclaration signée par les participants et la ville hôte. Il ne s’agit pas d’un simple texte conclusif, mais bien de véritables contributions. Elles seront présentées en septembre lors de la 79e Assemblée générale des Nations-Unies à New York du « Sommet du Futur ». Organisé en étroite collaboration avec la Ville de Montpellier, ce Sommet avait pour support principal l’objectif 16 de développement durable qui vise à « promouvoir l’avènement de sociétés pacifiques et inclusives aux fins du développement durable, assurer l’accès de tous à la justice et mettre en place, à tous les niveaux, des institutions efficaces, responsables et ouvertes à tous ».
Ambassadeur à Paris
Lue en trois langues, cette déclaration de Montpellier a été paraphée par Michaêl Delafosse, maire de Montpellier et président de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, et le Docteur Andrise Bass, fondatrice de l’ONG IPPDR (institute for public policy, diplomacy and research), en présence de Daniel Del Valle Blanco, ambassadeur et observateur permanent de l’Organisation internationale de la Jeunesse aux Nations-Unies, à New York. Le maire de Montpellier a expliqué à l’assistance qu’il était invité à Paris ce week-end par Anne Hidalgo, maire de Paris, pour l’ouverture des Jeux Olympiques, au même titre que d’autres maires comme ceux de Los Angeles ou de Bogota, et qu’il serait un ambassadeur de cette déclaration de Montpellier auprès d’eux.
Une représentation plus inclusive des jeunes
Dans le texte adopté, les participants au Sommet réclament notamment aux Nations-Unies « une représentation plus inclusive des jeunes dans les processus décisionnels et dans les mécanismes de prévention et de résolutions de conflits ». Dans cette perspective, ils ont pris plusieurs engagements dont ceux de promouvoir « l'élaboration et la mise en oeuvre d'une stratégie de paix dirigée par les jeunes », de soutenir « tous les mécanismes qui promeuvent une culture de paix, de tolérance et de dialogue » et de réintégrer « les jeunes dans la société en soutenant les structures et institutions adéquates comme les centres de formation professionnelle et d'orientation ».
DÉCLARATION DE MONTPELLIER
DECLARATION OF THE YOUTH SUMMIT ON PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, MONTPELLIER, FRANCE
Under the auspices of the city of Montpellier, represented by its Mayor Michaël DELAFOSSE, and Dr. Andrise BASS, Founder of the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR).
We, the youth of nations united, gathered at the Youth Summit on Peace and Sustainable Future at the City Hall in Montpellier, France.
We renew our commitment to the United Nations Charter and recognize the pressing wish to contribute further to global peacebuilding efforts. We declare our collective need to better reflect the current global landscape and the vital role of youth in fostering peace and sustainability within the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015).
To this end, we declare the following:
Preamble
The global community faces unprecedented challenges, including escalating conflicts, increased migration, and the intensifying climate crisis, all of which necessitate integrated, innovative and inclusive solutions;
Whereas the meaningful inclusion of youth in peacebuilding efforts is essential for creating sustainable societies;
Whereas the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities underscore the necessity of inclusion and empowerment of all individuals, particularly youth, in peacebuilding processes;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) emphasizes the critical role of young people in preventing and resolving conflicts and in sustaining peace;
We, the participants of the Youth Summit on Peace and Sustainable Future, propose the following recommendations and suggestions to enhance the implementation of UNSCR 2250 and to promote a peaceful and sustainable future:
Participation
Active Representation and Participation in Peace Processes:
Call on all relevant actors to actively involve marginalized young people including, indigenous displaced, migrants, refugees, and LGBTQAI + and consider their views, including when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, recognizing that their marginalization is detrimental to building sustainable peace.
Youth Engagement Strategy:
Promote the development and the implementation of a youth-led peace strategy including representation, participation, social and economic development, local economies, youth employment, vocational training, education, political engagement, capacity building and monitoring and evaluation.
Protection
Compliance with International Law:
Emphasize that all previous UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions to end impunity be implemented.
Financial Assistance:
Further call upon Member States to reinforce and provide financial assistance to youth organizations involved in peace initiatives.
Prevention
Culture of Peace: Emphasize UNESCO’s role on the Culture of Peace and call on Member States and all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector to support mechanisms that promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and dialogue, involving youth and discouraging participation in acts of violence, terrorism, xenophobia, hate speech, discrimination, and disinformation/misinformation.
Partnerships
Collaborative Initiatives: Support collaborative initiatives among youth and between youth organizations and the public and private sector to foster dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.
Disengagement and Reintegration:
Capacity Building and Orientation: Support adequate structures, and institutions, such as vocational and orientation centres for disengaging from conflict and reintegrating the youth into society.
Next Steps
Request the Secretary-General to review the progress and impact of youth contributions to peace processes and conflict resolution, and report to the Security Council every three years.
Member States to ensure inclusive representation of youth in decision-making processes at all levels and in mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflict. Consider developing a Peace Index with a set timeframe and targets to facilitate monitoring and evaluation.
We, the youth, united in our resolve, call upon the United Nations and its Member States to heed these recommendations and work collaboratively towards a world where peace and sustainability are not just aspirations but realities. Under the direction of Mayor Michael Delafosse and Dr. Andrise Bass, we stand ready to lead and support these efforts, ensuring that the voices of the youth are integral to the global peacebuilding agenda.
The following countries represent the youth delegates who participated in the youth summit and contributed to this document. The delegates hail from various continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania), showcasing a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Here are the countries they represent:
Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
Signed in Montpellier, on July 25th, 2024
Michaël DELAFOSSE Dr Andrise BASS
Mayor of Montpellier Founder of IPPDR