9 December marks 6 years since the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2250 and the formal recognition of young people's incredible contributions to peace.

We are reflecting on the 6 years of work in Northern Ireland & Beyond.

Resolution 2250: In December 2015 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2250, the first ever thematic resolution on Youth, Peace and Security. This historic document is very important for all young peace builders worldwide because it brings recognition and legitimacy for youth’s efforts in building peace. On the 6th June 2018 UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution on #Youth4Peace

Beyond Skin are a member of United Network of United Peacebuilders (www.unoy.org). UNOY were a driving force in the signing of the Resolution 2250 and from December 2015 the implementation of the agreement actions through UNOY members.

In 2017 we hosted Northern Ireland's first youth peace summit spanning various areas. Belfast, Ards, Ballycastle and City of Derry

As part of the Summit we invited inspirational peacebuilders using music and arts and UNOY programme driector Sölvi Karlsson.  An outcome of the Summit was the formation of #ArtsDialogue - a collective are an international intergenerational team of musicians, artists, producers, writers & peace activists.

Also attending the Summit Shelley Deane from Brehon Adivisory facitated the development of Arts Dialogue approach youth4peace strategic plan for Northern Ireland.

Global Youth Peace Summit archive webpage www.beyondskin.net/gyps2017-press-the-release

We issued the Press Release as a Music Video

Pictured below (centre) is Natali Márquez who attended the conference representing Escuelaz de Paz Colombia. Natali was very influencial in the starting momentum of youth4peace Northern Ireland. Sadly in February 2018 Natali passed due to brain cancer. To celebrate her short life and the impact she made on lives both in Colombia and Northern Ireland a tree was planted at Mount Stewart Heritage Site Northern Ireland. The ceremony was led by Natali's sister Ingrid.

In 2019 the Natali Márquez Foundation was set up.

Over the 6 years youth4peace amabassadors travelled to many countries representing Northern Ireland at various conferences, trainings and special events.

Over the 6 years we have delivered over 500 workshops/events engaging over 6,000 young people.

Workshops and events faciitated by Arts Dialogue team in parallel with Youth4Peace Ambassadors

Please visit out youth4peace webpage for links and more information

In 2019 began a music coloboration between young musicians in Northern Ireland and The Afghan Women's Orchestra shortlisted as Project of The Year. www.beyondskin.net/afghanistan

Each Year #Youth4Peace Activities celebrate International Women's Day

.

Our Youth4Peace ambassadors have enabled connections between Northern Ireland and our Global neighbours. Read Sienna's story & Cara's story

Some of our Youth4Peace team have had the opportunity to perform on stage with or meet high profile people. In 2019 our then Youth4Peace project manager Luisa met His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

n Youth Day 12th August 2021 a concert took place in East Belfast at the Strand Arts Centre as part of the East Belfast Arts Festival. The event had performances from some of the young musicians involved in a Afghan Women's Orchestra collaboration project and two guest musicians from Afghan Women's Orchestra also took part virtually in the event. 3 days later 15th August Kabul, Afghanistan fell to Taliban control. Read more about the event