10 - 06 - 25
South Africa and Finland Launch Youth Peace Mediators Programme
On Friday, June 6, the South African segment of the South Africa–Finland Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme was launched by the Minister. This innovative collaboration, a joint effort between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, seeks to empower a new generation of peacebuilders dedicated to global conflict resolution and sustainable peace.
This year-long capacity-building initiative will cultivate a dynamic network of young peace mediators, equipping them with practical skills for effective participation in peace negotiations, mediation, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction. The programme directly supports key international frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, the African Union Agenda 2063s youth-focused governance, peace, and security pillars, and the broader inclusion of youth in formal peace processes worldwide.
The Minister emphasized the significance of launching the programme during SAs Youth Month, which commemorates the legacy of young activists who fought against apartheid, notably the heroes of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. According to the Minister, ethnic hatred poisons communities, religious intolerance fractures societies, and ideological fanaticism stifles debate. He further articulated that when violence escalates, freedoms crumble, and the very essence of democracy flickers under the storm of conflict. The Minister clarified that this is not a distant tragedy but the lived reality for women and children in regions such as the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Gaza. By fostering connections across continents, the Minister believes the world reaffirms that young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace but are essential agents in its creation.
Dirco announced that 15 exceptional young peacebuilders were selected through a joint initiative by DIRCOs Diplomatic Academy and Finlands Centre for Peace Mediation. These individuals will engage in various activities, including in-person workshops in South Africa and Finland, study visits to the United Nations and African Union headquarters, and online sessions led by experts on peace mediation. The participants represent a diverse group from conflict-affected, post-conflict societies, and nations leading global peacebuilding efforts. This group includes representatives from South Africa, Finland, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, South Sudan, Turkey, and Ukraine.
In line with the South Africa-Finland Memorandum of Understanding, the programme will advance a strategic peace mediation partnership between the two countries. The department stated that it will also facilitate networking and knowledge-sharing among young peace mediators and provide mentorship from experienced international peace practitioners. The Minister underscored SAs commitment to shaping inclusive, youth-driven solutions to global challenges, ensuring that the voices of the next generation define the future of peace.
