The Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace, Security (YPS)

The Second Independent Progress Study?on youth's

positive contribution to peace processes and conflict resolution

Adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Pact for the Future strengthens the UN’s commitment to the YPS agenda. Action 20(c) of the Pact explicitly calls for a second independent progress study on Youth, Peace and Security, to be completed by the end of the 80th session of the General Assembly.

This second progress study aims to further document and assess the positive contributions of young people to peace processes and conflict resolution, particularly given the rapidly evolving global context since 2018. It will also provide vital evidence of successful practices and lessons learned, assess the effectiveness of various funding mechanisms, and youth inclusion policies implemented since 2018. The study will also identify persistent barriers that continue to hinder meaningful youth participation in peace processes. New data will be collected from various sources to provide quantitative analysis and evidence to support the research and findings of the study.

Timeline

Coordination?: YPS Joint Secretariat

The Second Independent Progress Study will be led in close coordination with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Youth Office (UNYO), who co-lead the UN system’s efforts on Youth, Peace and Security via a Joint Secretariat. This tripartite partnership will guide the study’s methodology, engagement processes, and dissemination to ensure broad ownership, credibility, and impact.

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Nanjala Nyabola
Lead Author for the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth Peace and Security

Nanjala Nyabola is a writer, researcher, and policy analyst focusing on political participation, digital rights, and youth engagement, especially in the Global South. Her work explores the intersection of technology, media, and society, amplifying youth voices and civic agency. She has led global research on migration, youth protest movements, and digital cultures, and worked with nonprofits and grassroots initiatives supporting young people in politics and social justice. Ms. Nyabola has held research and fellowship roles with institutions including the Oxford Internet Institute, the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Lab, and NYU’s Centre on International Cooperation. A Rhodes Scholar, she studied at the University of Birmingham, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Law School, and previously served on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism. She is the author of Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics (2018) and Travelling While Black (2020).