Youth Peace Summit 2025 – Young Voices for a Peaceful Future
Youth Peace Summit 2025 – Young Voices for a Peaceful Future
“We’re not here with easy answers for peace; we’re here because we’re done inheriting silence and toxic rhetoric.”
Last year, Rotaract Den Haag-Scheveningen proudly took part in the organization of the first-ever Youth Peace Summit, held alongside the NATO Summit in The Hague. The event brought together more than 100 young people from 43 countries and four continents, all united by one goal: to make their voices heard in global peacebuilding.
From countries such as Ukraine, Russia, the USA, India, Pakistan, Congo, Belarus, Israel, and Palestine, participants engaged in open and honest dialogue, breaking barriers, challenging assumptions, and showing what meaningful youth diplomacy can look like in action.
Their message was simple but powerful:
“We are the present, the future, and that future must be peaceful.”
Together, the participants drafted the Youth Peace Manifesto, a document that calls for dialogue, empathy, and the nonviolent strength of civil society as an alternative to division and conflict. The goal is to present this manifesto to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
“Diplomacy is not weakness. It is the courage to speak where others shout.” Participant from the Netherlands
The summit was held at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, and organized in collaboration with Professor Jaap de Zwaan (former Director of the Clingendael Institute), Rear Admiral (ret.) Hans Lodder, and UN Youth Representative for Human Rights and Security Emma van Nieuwenhuizen.
The Hague known worldwide as the City of Peace and Justice, has a long tradition of international peace conferences. Yet, this summit marked a historic first: a peace conference by and for young people.
One of the most moving moments came from Vitalii Yaromchuck, a Ukrainian professor of criminal law:
“Last year, my wife and I had a daughter, Sophia. Not once did we consider leaving Ukraine. We wanted her to grow up there. Now, standing on this stage, I speak not just for myself, but for many families and for those on the front lines of Russian violence.”
We’re proud that Rotaract Den Haag-Scheveningen could play a part in this milestone for youth diplomacy. As young leaders, we believe peacebuilding begins with dialogue, empathy, and action — values that drive every Rotaractor to serve above self.
Partners:
Ithaka Academie · Rotary Den Haag-Des Indes · Rotary Den Haag-Nieuwspoort · Rotary Den Haag Pulchri · Rotary ‘s Gravenhage-Oost · Rotary ‘s Gravenhage-Residentie · Rotary The Hague Metropolitan · Rotary Voorschoten-Leidschendam · Rotary Wassenaar · Rotary Jeugdcommissie ·