November 12, 2024 – In Chiapas, Mexico, a new wave of young leaders is stepping up to lead community peacebuilding efforts alongside and under the guidance of WPDI, with the support of the Inter-American Foundation. This fresh cohort represents the latest step in the expansion of our Youth Peacemaker Network (YPN), WPDI’s flagship program designed to help fragility-affected communities on their path to greater resilience.
Resilience, the capacity of an individual or a group to respond to shocks and crises in a sustainable way, calls for endogenous capacities to address these very challenges, which is precisely what one will often find missing in fragile communities. When a community has endured years, if not decades, of armed conflict, rampant violence, economic distress, and social or geographical exclusion, it has often lost its capacity to create community members with required skills to promote dialogue, disseminate peace or launch community-building initiatives, etc.
This is the purpose of the YPN that we have been implementing since the launch of WPDI over 10 years ago. The newly recruited cohort will join 262 such young leaders and over 2,000 local youths that we support across the world, bearing in mind that each of them can reach up to 199 beneficiaries each year on behalf of WPDI. A true vanguard for community transformation.
Back in June 2024, we launched a call for applications, inviting young people from across the region to join its mission of fostering peace and development in their communities, with the objective of hiring a pair of youths – one female and one male – for each of the main regions of Chiapas. The response was overwhelming, with 160 young people from various municipalities of Chiapas stepping forward, eager to contribute to a more peaceful future by becoming the leaders of change.
Following a rigorous and inclusive selection process in July and August, these applicants were interviewed by a jury of experts in social and youth work, each with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities for impact in Chiapas. From this talented pool, 42 young individuals from 11 different municipalities were chosen to begin their journey as WPDI Youth Peacemakers.
By September 2024, these 42 young people began their intensive training in San Cristóbal de las Casas, a region known for both its cultural richness and ongoing challenges related to conflict and violence. The participants are part of WPDI’s expanding network of peacebuilders, set to make a profound difference in their local communities where conflicts are becoming more frequent.
The initial phase of training has been both immersive and inspiring. Over the course of two intensive sessions, the group has started learning in three core areas:
- Learning Community – Fostering collaboration and shared growth among the participants.
- Popular Education – Embracing a people-centered approach to education that is practical and accessible.
- Introduction to Positive Conflict Resolution – Developing skills to mediate and resolve conflicts peacefully within their communities.
These training modules are designed to equip the youth with the tools and knowledge to train others, lead by example, actively contributing to peacebuilding efforts in areas that need it most.
For some participants, the deeply personal experience has blended professional aspirations with inner growth. Rodrigo Alejandro Corzo Hernández, a 24-year-old from San Cristóbal de las Casas, shared how the workshop is shaping both his personal and professional journey: “I’m a recent graduate and currently working on my bachelor’s thesis while looking for a job. I’ve always been interested in humanitarian issues, which is why I was drawn to this program. What I liked most about the workshop was the dynamic approach based on constructivist education, with a focus on community and human values. On a personal level, it is helping me to better understand myself and build stronger connections, while on a professional level, it is preparing me for a career in humanitarian organizations, which is something I aspire to.”
Similarly, Guadalupe del Carmen Cruz Díaz, a 27-year-old law graduate from San Cristóbal de las Casas, shared how the program has helped her embrace her strengths and transform her challenges: “I have a degree in law and am currently engaged in training and volunteering. I manage two youth programs—one with Caritas Mexico and the German government aimed at preventing violence in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, and another as a delegate for the youth ministry in Chiapas. I also host a radio show called ‘Juventudes Profetas de Paz,’ which we founded in 2023. Working with vulnerable populations has been intense, and I developed vicarious trauma, which caused a physical limitation in my right arm. This workshop has impacted me by helping me recognize my limitations and motivating me to transform them. I want to continue learning and eventually facilitate this process for others.”
As WPDI continues its work in Chiapas, this latest cohort of Youth Peacemakers represents a significant step forward in creating sustainable solutions to the issues of violence and conflict in the region. Their dedication and passion to bring about positive change will no doubt leave a lasting impact, not only in their own lives but the lives of countless others within their communities.
Stay tuned as these young leaders embark on their journey, and follow their progress as they work to transform Chiapas into a beacon of peace and development!