Youth, Peace and Security in Basra: Dialogue, Culture and Music for the 10th Anniversary of UNSCR 2250, Basra, 24 October 2025
On 24 October 2025, the historic courtyard of Bait Qantara, in the heart of the old city of Basra (Iraq), hosted the event “Youth, Peace and Security in Iraq and Italy”, promoted by Un Ponte Per (UPP) in collaboration with local partners as part of awareness-raising activities related to the international Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda, grounded in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250. The event aimed to highlight the role of young people in peacebuilding, social cohesion, and human security.
More than 330 young people aged between 18 and 36 took part in the event, in an atmosphere of dialogue, creativity, and shared participation. The day opened with an artistic and musical workshop delivered by Art Space, followed by a sports demonstration and workshops facilitated by 3Round Iraq and led by international athlete Hussein Kareem. These activities provided young participants with opportunities to express themselves through creative approaches, promoting art, music, and sport as tools for participation and inclusion.
One of the central moments of the initiative was the Youth Dialogue Session, moderated by Dr. Tamara Al-Attiya and featuring young leaders and activists such as Istabraq Al-Ali, founder of Masha United; Hussein Khayit, Director of the Tafaaol Group; and Aiham Ismail, a member of the 2250 Youth Network. The dialogue explored the contribution of young people to peace processes and the challenges they face in accessing decision-making pathways, often hindered by political, economic, and cultural barriers. Speakers emphasized the need to recognize youth as strategic actors capable of fostering inclusion, social innovation, and civic responsibility, sharing examples of collaboration with women’s organizations and local media and highlighting the role of technology in strengthening participation.
In the afternoon, the Akitu Group theatre company presented the performance “Test”, focusing on the challenges faced by youth in post-conflict contexts, followed by a musical concert blending Iraqi, Kurdish, and Arab melodies. This transformed the courtyard of Bait Qantara into a symbolic space of multicultural unity. Despite the heat and some logistical challenges, the event recorded high attendance and sustained audience engagement throughout the day.
The Basra event represented a concrete example of how creativity, collaboration, and dialogue can contribute to building resilient and inclusive communities. The day concluded with a collective photo, symbolically bringing participants together under the banner of peace and cooperation.
The initiative is part of the project “Youth, Peace and Security in Iraq and Italy”, implemented by the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” of the University of Padua in collaboration with Un Ponte Per, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.