The Youth Development Organization (YDO): A Leader in Peacebuilding and Youth Empowerment
The Youth Development Organization (YDO) continues to solidify its role as a leading advocate for youth empowerment and peacebuilding in the Mediterranean region. As part of its commitment to fostering peace and inclusion, YDO is a key partner in the Youth for Peace in the Mediterranean Sea (YxP) project—a 24-month capacity-building initiative involving nine organizations from eight countries: Italy, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Spain.
The Youth for Peace in the Mediterranean Sea project aims to enhance the skills of youth professionals, foster international collaboration, and develop innovative educational tools to promote peace and social justice. Its primary objectives include improving the competencies of youth professionals to integrate peace education into their programs, exchanging best practices on peaceful coexistence, and engaging young people at risk of social exclusion. The project also seeks to empower youth to actively participate in fostering peace in their communities and to establish an international network promoting cooperation between EU and Southern Mediterranean countries in education for peace and social justice.
The project begins with identifying existing good practices and progresses through a series of online and in-person activities designed to enhance the competencies of youth professionals. These efforts culminate in the local implementation of new tools and the presentation of participatory proposals for peaceful and inclusive communities by the youth involved. The project’s key outputs, such as a Manual and videos, ensure that its outcomes are widely disseminated and replicated through events across all participating countries.
Empowering Youth Workers in Lebanon
As part of the Youth for Peace in the Mediterranean Sea initiative, YDO hosted an in-person training session on November 9, 2024, at its center in Bakaata, Lebanon. This session brought together ten youth workers, aged 18 to 30, from diverse genders and cultural backgrounds. The training focused on equipping participants with essential tools for peacebuilding, covering key topics such as human rights education, conflict resolution, and intercultural competence.
The training session was structured around four core modules from the Peace Among Youth in the Mediterranean dossier, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. These modules included workshops on fostering a culture of peace, case studies of successful transnational projects, and discussions on cross-cutting topics such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity. Problem-solving exercises and assessments were also integrated to enhance participants’ ability to address challenges in youth work using human rights-centered approaches.
Despite logistical challenges, such as the absence of two facilitators due to displacement risks from the ongoing war, the training successfully engaged participants through interactive group discussions and activities. By the end of the session, youth workers left with enhanced knowledge of human rights and peace culture, greater confidence in their facilitation skills, and practical tools to implement peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
A Vision for the Future
The Youth for Peace in the Mediterranean Sea project represents YDO’s commitment to creating a united Mediterranean rooted in dialogue, inclusion, and justice. Through empowering youth workers, fostering cross-border collaboration, and developing innovative educational tools, the project embodies a shared vision for peace and coexistence. By engaging youth and stakeholders and producing key outputs like a Manual and videos, YDO ensures that the project’s impact will extend far beyond its 24-month duration.
With initiatives like this, YDO is not only strengthening the capacities of youth professionals but also paving the way for a resilient and peaceful Mediterranean community. The organization’s dedication to peacebuilding exemplifies the power of collective action and education in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for the region.