As part of the iLEGEND III project, 237 participants representing 70 nationalities are currently actively engaged in the University on Youth and Development taking place in Mollina (Spain), from 18 to 23 September, under the theme "Young People, Peace, and Climate Change."

The Network on Youth and Global Citizenship has selected this year's theme to tackle pressing concerns regarding the Youth, Peace and Security agenda. Climate change acts as a risk multiplier in conflicts, exacerbating underlying vulnerabilities and compounding existing grievances and inequality among people, countries, and regions. The 22nd University on Youth and Development is specifically exploring the eight pillars of Positive Peace¹, along with its connection to climate action. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but also the presence of justice, equity, and cooperation. Achieving and maintaining peace by working together on sustainable development is fundamental to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.

By nurturing knowledge, fostering peer-to-peer learning, promoting social and environmental awareness, and equipping them with the resources to engage and participate, the University on Youth and Development 2023 empowers young individuals to become drivers of positive change in their communities, both locally and on a global scale.

Young people have the power to initiate a global movement for peace, and with power comes the responsibility to act and understand how to connect across different countries and generations to become peacemakers.

Saji PRELIS, Co-Chair of the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security including 139 member organisations including the European Union, African Union and United Nations Agencies alongside youth leaders - facilitator of one of the Joint session workshop at the UYD 2023. 

As part of the event, eight partners are running distinct activities encompassing workshops, meetings, and training sessions, all of which delve into a wide spectrum of issues related to Peace and Climate Change, touching upon critical aspects such as participation, inclusion, migration, and various other dimensions of climate justice.

The structure of the University on Youth and Development is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical academic knowledge and practical application. It aims not only to prepare participants to confront the complex challenges of the 21st century but also to engage with institutional representatives on those questions. The opening session featured the presence of Mr. David Veloso Larraz, General Director of the Spanish Youth Institute, INJUVE; Ms. Thaïs Leray, Team leader for Youth in the Unit of Youth, Education, and Culture at the European Commission, DG for International Partnerships; Mr. Milosh Ristovski, Secretary-General of the European Youth Forum; Mr. Tilemachos Boni, member of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe; Mr. Benjamin Mwape, Youth and Partnerships Expert at the African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Youth Cooperation Hub; and Mr. Carlos Carretero Utrilla, Director of CEULAJ.

The 22nd University on Youth and Development underscores the commitment of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe to nurture the immense potential of the next generation, emphasizing the imperative to strengthen the youth sector.

 More information and interviews are available on the UYD 2023 webpage.

The UYD is an international youth event part of the iLEGEND III Joint programme co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. The UYD is organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, in partnership with a number of youth-led and youth-oriented organisations who have the possibility to run their own activities (trainings, seminars, board meetings, etc.) within a dynamic and participatory context which encourages networking, cooperation and peer-to-peer education.

(¹Height Positive Peace pillars : Well-functioning Government, Sound Business Environment, Equitable Distribution of Resources, Acceptance of the Rights of Others, Good Relations with Neighbours, Free Flow of Information, High Levels of Human Capital, Low Levels of Corruption)