Children as peace experts: Systemic barriers to valuing youth voices in conflict zones
Original framing: “The Adult Gaze: Looking again at children and young people in peace and conflict” — Phys.org
Children from conflict zones are systematically excluded from peace negotiations and humanitarian planning. Their lived experiences provide critical insights into the root causes of conflict and the conditions for sustainable peace, yet their voices are rarely included in formal decision-making processes.
The systemic exclusion of children from peacebuilding processes is rooted in colonial-era hierarchies that prioritize adult authority and Western developmentalist paradigms.
By integrating Indigenous frameworks, historical precedents, and cross-cultural practices that recognize youth as knowledge-holders, we can begin to dismantle these structures. Institutionalizing youth-led decision-making, supporting youth-led media, and implementing cross-generational dialogues offer concrete pathways for transforming peacebuilding from a top-down process to a more inclusive, systemic practice. This shift not only respects the agency of children but also enhances the sustainability and legitimacy of peace processes.