Lima, Peru. From 3 to 5 December 2024, ten young leaders from across Latin America will gather in Lima, Peru, to reaffirm their commitment to building a region free of armed violence. This visit is part of the programme GenerAcción Paz, an initiative by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Peru. The programme aims to empower youth in the prevention of armed violence and the promotion of peace.
Building Peace Through Youth
The three-day meeting will include interactive workshops and innovative presentations in Pecha Kucha formats during a Festival of Projects, where participants will showcase their initiatives to representatives from the United Nations, embassy officials, and national stakeholders, including civil society leaders. These initiatives, developed by the young leaders together with UNLIREC and the UNDP Peru Accelerator Lab, address key challenges such as armed violence and the importance of fostering a culture of peace within their communities.
The programme will also feature the CineForo: Leading for Peace and Security in Latin America, which will be a highlight of the gathering and will take place on Tuesday, December 3, at the Lugar de la Memoria, la Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social (LUM). During the CineForo, the documentary “When the Waters Are Joined” (Cuando las aguas se juntan) will be screened. This impactful film highlights the fundamental role of Colombian women in peacebuilding after the armed conflict. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with speakers such as Arianna Pedraza, a Colombian participant in GenerAcción Paz; Mercedes Allerbon, UNLIREC project advisor; and Diego Villarán, founder of the Alto Perú Project.
As part of the programme, the young leaders will also visit the Lima District Villa El Salvador, which is recognized as a Messenger City of Peace for its outstanding history of promoting peace and citizen security. During this visit, participants will engage in a dialogue with community leaders and local authorities to learn about violence prevention initiatives implemented in this iconic Peruvian community.
“We are excited to welcome these young leaders to Lima,” said Katja Boettcher, Political Affairs Officer at UNLIREC and coordinator of the GenerAcción Paz programme. “This program represents a unique opportunity for young people to become agents of change, implementing projects to prevent armed violence and promote peace in their communities. These seeds of peace will blossom across Latin America.”
Youth as Agents of Change
Since their selection in June 2024, the ten young leaders from nine different countries have embarked on a learning journey aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions. This programme not only provides participants with knowledge on disarmament and arms control but also equips them with practical tools to develop and implement initiatives that bring positive change to their communities.
Event Details: CineForo
- Date: Tuesday, 3 December 2024
- Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Lugar de la Memoria, la Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social (LUM), Bajada San Martín 151, Miraflores, Lima
- Admission: Free, with prior registration here.
The GenerAcción Paz programme is funded by the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).
For more information about GenerAcción Paz, the visit to Lima, and the programme’s impact, visit UNLIREC‘.