A/HRC/37/73 VI. Recommendations on the role of minority youth in promoting peace and stability A. Discussion 81. The session was introduced by Wai Nu, Director and founder of the Women Peace Network (Myanmar), Francia Marquez, Afro-Colombian leader and human rights defender (Colombia) and Nfor Hanson Nchanji, founder of the Cameroon News Agency (Cameroon). The panellists discussed their experiences as young persons belonging to minorities in seeking to bring peace, understanding and respect for different communities in their respective countries. They highlighted the role of young minority men and women as innovators and agents of change, whose contributions should be seen as an essential part of building peaceful communities. The panellists explored ways in which minority youth were adversely affected by armed conflict, including as refugees and internally displaced persons, and how the disruption of access by young people to education and economic opportunities could have a dramatic impact on durable peace and reconciliation. They described combating structural racism and discrimination as a critical component of peacebuilding. They noted that many minority youth lacked faith in national institutions, and underscored the importance of providing reparation to minority youth affected by conflict. They underscored the leadership role of youth in raising awareness on non-violence and peaceful advocacy. 82. The discussion was moderated by John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Center at the University of Ottawa (Canada). Participants in the plenary discussion pointed out that youth from historically marginalized communities were disproportionately affected by conflict and violence. They called for local strategies to reduce violence and terrorism by fighting the social exclusion of young minority people as well as measures to address impunity for violations against minority youth and insecurity within minority communities. Participants hailed the potential of young leaders to establish links between different religious, ethnic and linguistic communities, and called for greater support for youth movements. 83. A number of participants made reference to Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) and the need for meaningful involvement by minority youth, including young minority women, at all levels of peacebuilding, conflict prevention and countering of violence and violent extremism. They acknowledged that sustainable and lasting peace could not be achieved without the meaningful participation of minority youth in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements. 84. Participants also highlighted the importance of including young people belonging to minorities in national efforts to counter violence and extremism. They condemned the practices of violent extremist groups, including the recruitment of young people in refugee camps, religious institutions, universities and via social media. Participants spoke of the vital role young people could play in educational and religious institutions to promote tolerance and combat hate speech and terrorism, and hailed efforts such as interfaith youth dialogue initiatives to prevent extremism and promote peace and tolerance. B. Recommendations 85. States and the international community should ensure targeted protection of minority youth during and after conflict, in accordance with their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, and investigate and prosecute those responsible for crimes under international law. Minority youth working as human rights activists for their community should receive specific protection in times of conflict. 86. Young people belonging to minorities, and in particular young minority women, should be included as key beneficiaries of post-conflict reparations. 13