The Desmond Tutu Peace Cast

Youth, Peace and Security Peace Cast with Mena Ayazi & Megan Schleicher

Did you know? Data shows that we are currently experiencing the largest youth population that has EVER existed. According to a study, "The world is experiencing a 30-year high in violent conflict.  Battle deaths worldwide have increased by 340% in the last 10 years...Young people represent the majority of the population in the top conflict-affected countries, where on average, 50 percent of the population is below the age of 20. In some countries, more than 70 percent of the population is below the age of 30". (YPS Case Statement) [http://sfcg.org/youth-peace-security-act/YPS_Case_Statement_October_2019.pdf] * What does this mean for national and foreign policy? * How can we be prepared to best serve our youth population? I sit down for a Zoom call with Megan Schleicher and Mena Ayazi to talk about the YPS Act (also known as the H.R. 6174) [https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6174?s=1&r=5] and the Youth, Peace, and Security global movement.  Both are advocates for the movement and the consequent bill which was introduced on March 10th, 2020.  In short, the bill requires that the U.S. Department of State  "coordinate the development and implementation of a whole-of-government strategy to promote the inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in peace-building and conflict prevention, management, and resolution, as well as post-conflict and recovery efforts." (congress.gov [https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6174?s=1&r=5]) In this Peace Cast, Mena and Megan share their professional and personal perspectives advocating for the YPS Act.  Visit our website [https://thedesmondtutupeacecast.weebly.com/]for more information. https://thedesmondtutupeacecast.weebly.com [https://thedesmondtutupeacecast.weebly.com/]

The Desmond Tutu Peace Cast Promo

The Desmond Tutu Peace Cast is a podcast dedicated to enhancing the mission of The Desmond Tutu Peace Lab at Butler University.  The Desmond Tutu Peace Lab is an innovative think tank dedicated to undergraduate research, activism, dialogue and advocacy around peace and social justice issues broadly defined. It continues work in the spirit of The Desmond Tutu Center (2012–2017) by promoting peace, reconciliation, and global justice on campus and in the local community.  The Peace Lab began its work in the fall of 2018 and is designed to:  -Develop and disseminate innovative and strategic approaches to peace education, leadership, policy, practice, and advocacy while -Developing capacity among students for peace and justice activism and innovative peace and justice leadership, including religious peacebuilding.  The student-led think tank works with faculty at Butler University and with local community partners to host lectures, workshops, dialogues, study tours, trainings, research, and activism initiatives. Students are at the heart of the peace lab and work with the faculty director to create meaningful student-led programming. The peace lab also collaborates with other university student organizations that are engaged in activism and within their community. This podcast is aimed at providing a space for more dialogue amongst community activists, local and global to engage and raise awareness about social issues affecting us all.