1) To all the young people of the Congo:
You are an indispensable force and a source of hope for peace and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Use your potential to build, innovate, take the initiative and strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence where your elders have failed. Never give in to manipulation, violence, hate speech or destructive behaviour. Your commitment, energy and creativity are essential to building a more stable, peaceful, just and prosperous country. Be architects of peace and coexistence, agents of change and promoters of sound social values.
2) To the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to political leaders
Seeking peace and development without investing in young people and involving them at all levels of decision-making is a dream that will never come true. It is of the utmost importance to increase investment in education, employment, vocational training, entrepreneurship and young people’s civic participation at all levels.
The involvement of young people in peace processes should promote their effective participation and inclusion in all actions and negotiations undertaken to restore peace in the DRC, rather than merely in consultations or speeches.
Political authorities, including the leaders of political parties, should:
- Avoid the political exploitation and manipulation of young people by seeking to use them as instruments of violence, extremism, conflict, manipulation or disinformation for the purposes of political posturing
- Promote peace and social cohesion by raising awareness amongst young activists about tolerance, peaceful conflict resolution and respect for cultural diversity and differing opinions
- Reject hate speech and divisive rhetoric, as well as incitement to violence and extremism
- Increase young people’s participation in decision-making bodies by reserving places for young people on the management and executive bodies of political parties
- Strengthen political and patriotic education for young people, particularly on fundamental human rights, the principles of democracy, good governance, leadership, and conflict management and resolution
- Support youth entrepreneurship and development initiatives
3) To international NGOs
- Strengthen technical and financial support for civic participation and the empowerment of young people
- Place young people at the centre of project design and implementation by involving them in all stages of programmes that concern them
- Support youth-led development initiatives
- Advocate at the highest level for young people’s participation in governance, peacebuilding and development
- Pay particular attention to young people in vulnerable situations, notably young rural women, internally displaced persons, people living with disabilities, and young people affected by conflict, including ex-combatants
- Support the effective implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
4) To churches and civil society platforms involved in youth mentoring
- Strengthen the moral and spiritual guidance of young people to bring about positive behavioural change
- Promote peace and social cohesion by raising young people’s awareness of non-violence, respect for human dignity and diversity, mutual forgiveness, reconciliation and living together in harmony
- Encourage and support young people’s involvement in peace and community development initiatives
- To prevent and discourage risky behaviour by educating young people about the dangers associated with crime, drugs, alcohol consumption, hate speech and all forms of anti-social behaviour
- To support vulnerable young people, such as street children, orphans and those living in poverty.
- Establish mechanisms to provide spiritual and psychosocial support for young people affected by conflict.
Let us invest in our young people together to build a peaceful society and a more stable country.
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