The Central American Youth Programme: Assisting Youth in Conflict Situations

The Central American Youth Programme—Central America

http://www.interpeace.org/index.php/programmes/central-american-youth-programme/

Interpeace’s Central American Youth Programme operates in areas prone to post-political violence, gang, and narco-trafficking conflict in Central America.  It aims to not only assist the youth most affected, but use these youth as a resource towards lasting peace.   Operating on the principle that conflict can become an engine for social change when youth are mobilized in positive ways, the Central American Youth Programme works on the policy level in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama; recently expanded into Haiti; and has helped design and support at least 10 local community plans for the prevention of youth violence.  By strengthening the capacity of the youth themselves through peace-building activities, as well as strengthening the policy environment around them, the Central American Youth Programme introduces conflict resolution, human rights and equality, and respect for diversity and human rights to the communities in which is works.  Interpeace also serves to foster networks between the countries and gathers relevant research for knowledge sharing.