Influencing Policy

We believe that young people should not only be recipients of government programming but should be at the centre of developing policies. We collaborate with our members, other civil society groups and government entities to bring relevant, strong and robust policy solutions that affect youth in peace and security matters.

CCYPS Government Advocacy Chair speaks with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

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Browse other CCYPS contributions to policy spaces:

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Foundations for Peace: Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security – 2023 to 2029

Thanks to CCYPS advocacy, for the first time in Canadian history, a foreign policy officially commits to implementing YPS as a priority, including funding promises.

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Youth, Peace and Security: Fostering Youth-Inclusive Political Processes

Through partnerships in global spaces, we contribute to reinforcing documentation and policy recommendations on young people in political processes.

Implementing the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, A Guide for Public Officials

We showcase Canadian examples on the global stage. The alternative approaches we have opted for in our policy advocacy have been featured in many guidebooks, including the Guide for Public Officials.

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Queer Peace and Security: Recommendations to the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

We co-organized the 2nd Global Dialogue on Queering Peace & Security, held in the United Kingdom, to explore dynamics of peace and security that include everyone.

UN Youth Office

In mid-2022, we participated in the consultation process held by the Permanent Representatives of Egypt and Guyana to the United Nations. This allowed us to share our reflections and aspirations for the creation of a UN Youth Office.

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Y7 in Germany

In 2022, we served as the co-sherpa for the Y7 Summit's inaugural 'Youth, Peace and Security' track, hosted by Germany.

WPS Dialogue FPS

We make an active decision to contribute to civil society-led consultative efforts for policymaking on peace and security.

This includes in the next (launched in 2024) National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Feminist Foreign Policy

We believe that feminism includes everyone. That's why we have advocated for YPS to be integrated into Canada's Feminist Foreign Policy as a standalone priority.

U.S. YPS Act

Our friends down South at the US Coalition for YPS put forward a bill before Congress on YPS. We actively supported them and partnered to raise the visibility of their campaign.

Youth, Peace and Security Adviser's Handbook

We contribute to global spaces as well. The United Nations and regional bodies are also responsible for implementing YPS. We influence policy by making information accessible to decision-makers in those spaces of power.

2021 State of Youth Report

Canada adopted its first Youth Policy in 2019. Although the policy and its first State of Youth Report are conflict- and peace-blind, we played a key role in highlighting domestic concerns outlined by the YPS resolutions.