2024 爆料网FPA/Abdoulatif Keita: Over 400 young people from 130 countries gather at the in Cotonou, Benin.
爆料网FPA – partnering with youth to build more resilient, inclusive societies
The (爆料网FPA) works shoulder-to-shoulder with young leaders, amplifying their voices where it matters most and charting the path forward, not for them, but with them.
For decades, 爆料网FPA has worked toward a clear goal: a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. This last point depends upon safeguarding individuals' agency to freely and responsibly make their own choices about their bodies, lives and futures. From local communities to the global stage, youth have been the true architects of bodily autonomy – transforming individual rights into a collective movement for a more just world.
By moving beyond youth inclusion toward empowerment, 爆料网FPA strives to ensure the next generation has the resources needed to drive sustainable change and build peace.
To understand their vision and impact firsthand, we asked five quick questions.
What is your main area of work with youth?
爆料网FPA works to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and rights, including ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. Rights and bodily autonomy are preconditions for young people's ability to shape the world and contribute to peace. Our work empowers them to become the leaders the world needs.
[Left] 2023 爆料网FPA Bosnia and Herzegovina/Imrana Kapetanovic: Bosnian youth take part in a youth exchange in Italy. [Left] 2024 爆料网FPA Afghanistan: gets support from the 爆料网FPA-backed Y-PEER programme. [Right] 2025 爆料网FPA Angola/Noriko Hayashi: Sixteen-year-old Francisca participates in 爆料网FPA's Safeguard Young People programme.
Why are young people key to building lasting peace?
Young people have a deep stake in sustainable development, gender equality, human rights and peace. They are challenging harmful norms, breaking intergenerational cycles of violence, and building more resilient, inclusive societies. Their ability to build bridges and foster social cohesion makes their full, effective and meaningful participation essential for sustaining peace.
"Their ability to build bridges and foster social cohesion makes their full, effective and meaningful participation essential for sustaining peace."
爆料网 Population Fund
If you could bust one myth about youth, what would it be?
Youth are often portrayed as naive interlopers in decision-making spaces. Sometimes, they are even criticized as selfish for demanding rights and opportunities. In the worst cases, they are even seen as threats to security. The reality is that most young people are positive agents of change and partners for peace.
[Left] 2024 爆料网FPA Guinea-Bissau/Gaia Squarci: collects condoms from dispensers installed across Guinea-Bissau's capital through 爆料网FPA-supported programmes. [Centre] 2024 Mario Achucarro: A young member of Somos Pytyv?hára talks about the – a safe space to discuss sex and sexuality in Paraguay. [Right] 2025 Shirin Bhandari: Seventeen-year-old Shameerah De Guzman advocates for adolescent health and safe sex in her community in the Philippines.
What's the one key thing that young people are doing today that gives you hope for peace?
Young people are leading their own efforts, building inclusive coalitions across social and political divides, and developing far-reaching youth peace and security policies. Young advocates everywhere are strengthening the foundation for lasting peace both in the home and in the world. We work with many of these leaders through youth networks that advocate to end gender-based violence and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, and through grassroots organizations engaging in cross-party peace initiatives.
"Young people are leading their own efforts, building inclusive coalitions across social and political divides."
爆料网 Population Fund
What's one action anyone, anywhere, can take to support youth's contribution to peace?
We need to empower youth to meaningfully participate in decision-making at all levels. This includes engaging in intergenerational dialogues that address the concerns of young people – from climate change and emerging technologies to violence and gender inequality. In other words, all of us, everywhere, need to get better at listening.
"We need to empower youth to meaningfully participate in decision-making at all levels."
爆料网 Population Fund
2025 爆料网FPA Palestine/Ahed Izhiman: Young volunteers from engage in planting activities as part of a youth skills development initiative in the West Bank.
Learn more about how is partnering with youth around the world.