Youth Agency for Peace

1 or 1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course is part of a suite of elective courses offered in partnership with the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues (Office of the VP for Global Engagement) open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Though there is no required sequence, you may wish to take 4100, 4101, or 4103 along with 4102, to get more comprehensive preparation for engaging with children and youth globally. This interdisciplinary course examines the evolving role of youth in shaping local and global peace and security initiatives. Students will explore contemporary youth movements, their impact on social and political landscapes, and the emergence of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda on the global stage. The course will analyze key UN resolutions, international policies, and grassroots actions that have elevated youth participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications, students will gain a foundational understanding of youth agency in promoting sustainable peace and security in some of the most difficult environments around the world.