Youth, Peace and Security in Erbil: Strategic Workshop on the Future of the 2250 Network in Iraq, Erbil, 25-26 November
On 25–26 November 2025, in Erbil, the 2250 Network in Iraq organized a two-day strategic workshop marking the launch of a new phase in the network’s development, aimed at strengthening youth participation in peacebuilding in line with the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda and UN Security Council Resolution 2250. The initiative responded to the evolving context of youth civic engagement in Iraq and the growing need for more inclusive and accessible platforms for youth-led action.
The workshop brought together the most active and long-standing members of the network in a reflective and participatory process focused on assessing the strengths and limitations of the existing membership-based model. Through structured discussions and group work, participants examined challenges related to inclusiveness, representation, accountability, and impact, emphasizing the need to move beyond symbolic participation toward more effective and measurable youth engagement in peacebuilding and security-related processes.
A key outcome of the workshop was the collective decision to restructure the 2250 Network by transitioning from a closed membership model to an open, affiliation-based platform. This new approach will allow any Iraqi young woman or man who supports UNSCR 2250 to affiliate and participate, with engagement guided by commitment and contribution rather than formal membership. The decision reflects a shared understanding that legitimacy and effectiveness in youth leadership are strengthened through openness and transparency.
The restructured platform is grounded in four core principles—inclusiveness, flexibility, justice, and effectiveness—which will guide future activities and ensure fair and meaningful participation. The network reaffirmed its vision of empowered Iraqi youth leading sustainable peacebuilding and security efforts and identified strategic objectives focused on enhancing youth participation, advocating for a National Action Plan on UNSCR 2250, promoting youth rights, and ensuring inclusive engagement across diverse contexts in Iraq.
As a concrete next step, the 2250 Network announced the launch of an electronic platform that will serve as the main entry point for affiliation, coordination, and engagement. The workshop represented a significant milestone in the network’s development, strengthening its capacity to engage a broader spectrum of Iraqi youth and contribute more effectively to peacebuilding and social cohesion efforts.
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.