Amid ongoing armed conflict and terrorism around the world, it has become increasingly evident that many of those on the frontlines of armed conflict and terrorism are young individuals between the ages of 18 and 35.

In recent years, global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Youth strategy, as well as Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), have highlighted the importance of youth empowerment and the role of youth in peacebuilding. Yet, many “invisible youth,” such as Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG), have been significantly overlooked.

Moreover, among the conflict actors, individuals under the age of 18 are protected under international norms, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and the Paris Principle.

However, once they turn 18, even those who were recruited as child soldiers often fall outside the scope of protection and support, and are instead regarded merely as security threats. This situation not only prevents them from realising their unique potential, but also makes it more difficult for them to break free from cycles of violence and hatred, ultimately posing a significant obstacle to achieving sustaining peace.

This event will shed light on how these youth can be understood, how they should be supported in their disengagement and reintegration from non-state armed groups, and what kinds of international norms are urgently needed to address this situation.