By Johnathan Paoli
South Africa and Finland have officially launched the South African leg of the groundbreaking Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme, a new initiative to empower young leaders in global peacebuilding efforts.
Co-implemented by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the one-year programme is designed to develop a dynamic network of young peacebuilders equipped to resolve conflicts and rebuild societies affected by war and instability.
Speaking at the launch on Friday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola emphasised the importance of empowering youth as peace agents, particularly during Youth Month — a time when South Africa commemorates the historic 1976 Soweto Uprising.
“This is not some distant tragedy; it is the lived reality of women and children in eastern DRC, Sudan, Gaza and other places across our wounded world. By building bridges across continents, we reaffirm that young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace — they are essential agents of its creation,” Lamola said.
The programme aligns with international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, especially its youth-focused governance and peace pillars.
Fifteen exceptional youth peacebuilders from across the globe including South Africa, Finland, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, South Sudan, Turkey and Ukraine have been selected to participate.
Participants will benefit from an intensive schedule of in-person workshops in South Africa and Finland, study visits to the United Nations and African Union headquarters, and online sessions with international experts in peace mediation.
The programme also offers mentorship from experienced practitioners in diplomacy and conflict resolution.
According to the department, this effort is a direct outcome of a South Africa-Finland Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in peace mediation and capacity-building.
The initiative strengthens South Africa’s reputation as a key voice in global peace efforts, while showcasing Finland’s longstanding expertise in mediation and conflict prevention.
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