Citizen diplomacy — the act of building of direct people-to-people ties — has unlocked so many paths for Vietnam War reconciliation over the years. As the U.S.-Vietnam relationship enters a new era, youth leaders from both sides hope they can play a pivotal role in building similar relationships to address ongoing war legacies. Vietnam War veteran Theodore Hammett, PeaceTrees Vietnam Executive Director Claire Yunker, and U.S.-Vietnam Youth Leadership Cohort members Yia Vue and Hai Van Le discuss how introducing people earlier opens the door for empathy and cooperation and why young people don’t need to wait for permission to start making a difference.

Type: Blog

Humanity is at a tipping point. New data confirms 2023 as Earth’s hottest-ever recorded year. Increasing temperatures, rising seas and extreme weather are heightening tension over resources, damaging people’s health and livelihoods, and displacing millions. Young people have one of the largest stakes in climate decisions made today, for they face the lasting environmental consequences of climate change — and the consequent threats to peace and security. Yet youth remain mostly excluded from decision-making on climate. U.S. leadership, via three steps in particular, can bolster genuine youth leadership on climate that prioritizes the welfare of future generations.

Type: Analysis

El Marco de Construcción de Paz Centrado en la Juventud es una guía funcional que propone un enfoque factible para centrar a la juventud en intervenciones de construcción de paz. La guía pone en práctica el concepto de la participación de jóvenes, partiendo de principios básicos y pasando a guías prácticas y medidas de acción específicas para lograr una participación juvenil significativa en diferentes etapas de un proyecto de construcción de paz.

Type: Tools for Peacebuilding