Empowering Africa’s next generation of peacebuilders: KAIPTC develops training manual for youth leaders
Empowering Africa's youth as peacebuilders is a growing priority and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with a shared vision to empower Africa's youth to become powerful agents of peace is leading the efforts in driving the change.
The centre, as part of its youth-led initiatives, has concluded a two-day Learning Design and Development (LDD) workshop, held from January 29 to January 31 this year, marking a crucial step in this journey to equip young people to become powerful agents of peace.
The workshop, funded by the government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), brought together subject matter experts to finalise a comprehensive training manual designed specifically for young peace leaders across the continent.
Africa's youth, a demographic brimming with potential, represent a powerful force for positive change. With a significant portion of the population under 30 years old, their capacity to shape the future of the continent is immense.
However, this potential is often hampered by the complex realities of social and economic challenges, including conflict, unemployment and marginalisation.
Young people are disproportionately affected by violence, sometimes even drawn into it, facing issues ranging from election-related unrest to the growing threat of cybercrime.
YPS
Recognising the urgent need to address these challenges, the KAIPTC's Youth Peace and Security (YPS) Programme is committed to enhancing the leadership skills of young Africans and fostering their active participation in peacebuilding efforts.
Central to this mission is the development of a comprehensive training manual, a resource that will equip young leaders with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of peace and security in their communities.
The LDD workshop served as the vessel for this vital manual. Experts from organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Commonwealth Students Council, the All-Africa Students Union, and the International Peace Support Training Centre (ISPSTC) of Kenya, alongside representatives from Ghana’s National
Youth Authority and civil society organisations collaborated to create a curriculum that reflects the needs and aspirations of young peacebuilders.
This is not just a theoretical exercise, as explained by the Programme Specialist at the West and Central African Regional Officer in charge of Youth, Peace, and Security at the UNFPA, Fatuma Kuno Muhamad.
“This manual will be instrumental in scaling up our capacity-building efforts and making a real difference in peace and security across the regions,” she said.
Training component
The manual will cover a range of critical areas, including leadership and ethics, advocacy and activism, peacebuilding principles, project management, communication for leadership, negotiation and mediation skills, emerging security threats and resource management.
“These aren't just abstract concepts; they are the practical skills needed to make a tangible difference on the ground,” the acting Deputy Director of KAIPTC’s Women, Youth, Peace and Security (WYPSI), Joana Osei-Tutu, said.
“Imagine a young leader equipped with the communication skills to mediate a local dispute, or another empowered to launch a community project promoting peace and reconciliation, this is what the manual seeks to ensure by enhancing their leadership skills and fostering their active participation in peacebuilding efforts,” Ms Osei-Tutu said at the opening of the three-day workshop.
By fostering collaboration among youth, government agencies and regional organisations, "We aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable peace environment in Africa," she emphasised.
The development of this manual represents more than just the creation of a document; it is an investment in the future of Africa and a recognition that young people are not just victims of conflict, but also powerful agents of change.