Terrorist and other extremist organizations are already successfully recruiting vulnerable youth to join their groups and promote violence and hate – but we now have the opportunity to fight back by providing these same children and young adults a safe and successful future.
Existing programs are already providing at-risk youth in the Middle East, North Africa, and other areas with leadership training, non-violent conflict resolution skills, and opportunities for civic engagement. These children and young adults are the receiving the tools to become our world's future leaders, changemakers, and peacebuilders.
In a few short weeks, world leaders will meet at the United Nations to develop a strategy to counter violent extremism with a special focus on youth. These leaders need to know that we support peaceful, community-oriented approaches that also help empower youth in conflict-afflicted countries.
Dear President Obama,
In a world in which violent extremism threatens to sow widespread conflict across regions and an increasing number of youth are joining extremist organizations, we must support peaceful young people now more than ever. Youth make up over a quarter of the world’s population: 1.8 billion youth in our world and growing.
Right now, youth are also on the frontlines in the fight against extremism – working to beat the allure of violence with the wisdom of resistance. In Kenya, youth are leading social clubs to build non-violent conflict resolution forums. Outside Syria, teenagers are volunteering as peer mentors to prevent recruitment. And throughout Tunisia, youth are volunteering nights and weekends to develop community safety and anti-recruitment strategies for youth caught up in cycles of violence. These young leaders hold the keys to a more peaceful future.
Right now, however, the cards are stacked against non-violent youth. Violent extremist groups pose a real and strategic threat. They combine radical ideology and terrorist attacks with insurgency or even conventional warfare. Some govern territory. Some want to overthrow the state-based international system. These are no longer a few guys making bombs in basements. They are brutal, well organized, and well-armed.
As an American who cares about creating a peaceful world for our children where all young people can pursue safe and successful futures, I ask that that you increase U.S. support to youth peacebuilding programs worldwide. Specifically, please:
- Announce robust funding for youth-led peacebuilding at the United Nations this September, and include this request in the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request to Congress; and
- Ensure a strong focus on youth peacebuilding and community engagement in the U.S. strategy to Counter Violent Extremism.
Throughout your Presidency, from the My Brother’s Keeper program to the Young African Leaders Initiative, you have made tremendous strides in bringing the ideas of the world’s most marginalized youth to the walls of the White House. Helping youth defeat violent extremism is not only vital to American safety and global security, but is consistent with your legacy as President of the United States.
Thank you for supporting programs to bolster youth’s fight against violent extremism.
Sincerely,
