UNOY Peacebuilders

The United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders) is a global network of 38 youth peace organisations and 350 affiliates active in the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
The UNOY network contributes to the work of its members and affiliates in two fundamental ways, namely capacity building and advocacy and campaigning. Within these two fields UNOY engage in a range of additional activities.

"I believe in Peace as well as what the UNOY Peacebuilders do. I believe the only way to achieve peace is to be personally involved in the peacebuilding process. Being an ISG member of a global network as UNOY Peacebuilders has helped me gain a lot of personal and professional experiences, and has definitely enhanced my ability to work in the peacebuilding process that I am involved in."
Majd, Palestine

"I share with UNOY Peacebuilders the vision of a world in which every young person is actively engaged in achieving a peaceful society. Being a member of the ISG was a great experience for me to empower myself and my organisation. I am glad that the restructuring project of the network in 2006 has contributed to a more innovative structure of UNOY Peacebuilders, where the member organisations have had the opportunity to contribute more actively at the decision making level of the network."
Fred, Liberia

"To me, ISG means a lot of interesting work, which I usually do with pleasure. It means an opportunity for cooperation, participation in decision making and sharing good practices."
Armine, Armenia

"Being part of the ISG has given me the opportunity to get in touch with members of UNOY Peacebuilders from all the regions, and to share perspectives, new ideas and projects to continue working in the building of a culture of peace."
Ana, Argentina

"Thanks to the virtual and face-to-face exchanges that I have had through UNOY, I have further developed a sense of receptivity to other people’s opinion and to new ideas in the field of peacebuilding."
Guelord, Democratic Republic of Congo

"The UNOY Training was timely for a nation just coming from a decade long conflict which resulted in a negative and barbarous mentality in the minds of young people."
Mohamed, Sierra Leone

"By being a member of the ISG I had the opportunity to share experiences with different professionals in the field of peacebuilding and learn a lot from all of them. This has helped me expand my knowledge and my way of viewing things in terms of peace."
Roynet, Zambia

"The week of seminars on peacebuilding was full of valuable information from a professional and personal point of view!"
Aliona, Moldova

"The UNOY training in Budapest not only gave me new skills and knowledge, but also delivered excellent practical understanding and broader insights that has equipped me to think creatively, work strategically and correspond effectively, so I am feeling full of energy and confident to contribute in conflict transformation and peace-building issues in the days to come."
Netra, Nepal

"Next year we are planning a very big leadership training project. The inspiration for this project came while attending a UNOY study session and talking to fellow peacebuilders."
Olivier, Belgium

"Resources from the UNOY Website, the Newsletter and the Peaceful Digest have all given us more opportunities as an organisation to be more understanding about our activities and our existence to many people in the world. All this has had a positive impact on our organisation."
Yusuf, Somalia

"Through UNOY I learned how to understand conflict and peace in new ways. Being more conflict-sensitive and peace-orientated, I feel my contribution in my work in the field of humanitarian assistance is more valuable. Thank you UNOY!"
Janine, Germany

"I can now look at my work in Israeli peace organisations differently due to my involvement in the deep analysis by UNOY Peacebuilders"
Participant of the Network Capacity Development Project, 2006

"The meeting got me thinking before and after. It also inspired me to improve my work in my community and country. My perception of UNOY remains as positive as when I joined as I still consider it a vibrant youth-led service providing organisation with committed, dedicated, and creative young people."
Participant of the Network Capacity Development Project, 2006

"I strongly appreciate the work of the organising team. It is good to have such committed and dedicated team at the secretariat. I hope you keep up the good work for the achievement of global peace and youth participation. Bravo."
Participant of the Network Capacity Development Project, 2006

"Gatherings, such as those of the United Nations of Youth Foundation, help to create a culture of peace by addressing its requirements in an open, honest, and sensitive manner. Only by approaching the demands of peace in this way can we ever hope to overcome the many challenges of achieving a peaceful world and, ultimately, secure for ourselves a lasting, global peace."
Former UN Secretary General Dr. Kofi Annan commenting via mail on the African Youth Peace Conference for a Culture of Peace, Franschhoek South-Africa 30 June–7 July 2001

"For me, it was the best seminar I visited so far and that’s thanks to you and your colleagues. You were a great team and really made me believe that international cooperation is possible…thanks again for the inspiration and encouragement."
Elchin, Schoorl Peace Skills Project, 2007

"The UNOY team was really great…you are very inspiring and encouraging! I very much appreciated in our team that we created some kind of team, where everybody tried to be supportive and understanding. I think it was one of the best things I have experienced, so special thanks to everyone for such a great time and experience."
Olena, Schoorl Peace Skills Project, 2007

"Many aspects of the week in Crimea were inspirational and exciting, but UNOY’s training really stuck in my consciousness. Having had a little exposure to the area, I was feeling a little disorientated, and not sure how it could really be used successfully, but you (UNOY) left me really determined and inspired to work more."
Annie, Crimea Peace Skills Project, 2006

The UNOY Peacebuilders' News Blog is now online. It will keep you informed about upcoming events in your region, UNOY activities and any issues pertinent to youth in peacebuilding.