Ten years ago, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2250, laying the foundation for the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (YPS). It also marked a turning point. For the first time, young people were not seen primarily as victims or a potential risk group, but as active contributors to peace, social cohesion and political participation. To mark the tenth anniversary, we spoke with Mohammad Ahmaro, Education and Youth Adviser at GIZ's Civil Peace Service in Jordan. He is one of the key players in the Jordanian YPS movement and has been involved in the implementation of Resolution 2250 at the local, national and international levels. In this interview, he looks back, assesses current developments and sends a clear message to young people around the world.
IJAB: Please describe the role you played in developing or implementing the YPS Agenda in Jordan.
Mohammad Ahmaro: I became involved in the Youth, Peace and Security agenda shortly after Resolution 2250 was adopted, through my work with the Shabab 2250 project at IDare for Sustainable Development. I coached young people on how to apply the resolution in youth work, using creative tools such as art, media, and community initiatives. This early experience helped lay the foundations for the Jordanian National Coalition for 2250, of which I became part of the first generation. Between 2016 and 2022, I facilitated workshops, guided youth-led creative projects and promoted the principles of participation, protection, prevention and partnership across local communities.
In 2024, I joined the youth consultation team that contributed to Jordan’s National Action Plan for 2250. Internationally, I represented Germany’s GIZ, the Jordanian Ministry of Youth and various initiatives at conferences in Amman, Budapest and Geneva. Today, as Education and Youth Adviser with the GIZ’s Civil Peace Service, I support organisations in creating safe spaces, strengthening youth resilience and enabling young people to contribute actively to peaceful and inclusive communities.
IJAB: What personally motivated you to work in this field?
Mohammad Ahmaro: My source of inspiration is the shift in narrative that Resolution 2250 created. For years, youth were seen mainly as victims or potential perpetrators of violence. The resolution recognised what had long been true: young people are peacebuilders, leaders and partners. I began working on community peace initiatives long before anyone used that term, and this recognition affirmed our efforts. Knowing that youth are agents of change, not problems to be solved, continues to motivate me.
IJAB: How is the young generation in Jordan is experiencing the YPS Agenda?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Young Jordanians are increasingly seeing the YPS agenda as a practical framework that recognises their role in shaping communities. Through three generations of the National Coalition, youth have shifted from observers to active contributors, especially in consultations for the National Action Plan. Resolution 2250 was incorporated into Jordan’s National Youth Strategy 2019–2025, which strengthened the agenda’s visibility. Recent political reforms, such as the new Political Parties Law, have also expanded formal avenues for participation. At community level, awareness sessions, workshops and creative initiatives have made the agenda more tangible. While challenges remain, the agenda provides a sense of hope and promotes a more inclusive, youth‑centred policy landscape.
IJAB: How would you assess the current situation faced by young people in Jordan?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Jordan is a young country, with nearly 60% of the population under 30. Access to education is strong, yet gaps remain in terms of quality, relevance to the labour market and access to innovative learning. Youth unemployment is still one of the country’s most pressing issues, particularly for young women. Participation has improved, supported by political reforms and increased visibility of youth in policymaking spaces, although genuine influence still needs strengthening.
Young people remain optimistic but are concerned about long‑term stability and employment prospects. Addressing these challenges requires a sustained investment in education, employment, civic engagement and social cohesion. We need to ensure that youth are recognised not only as future leaders but as partners shaping society as it is today.
IJAB: Are there specific groups for whom YPS measures are particularly important?
Mohammad Ahmaro: The YPS agenda is rooted in inclusivity. While it is essential to avoid reinforcing labels, certain groups—such as disadvantaged youth, refugees, young women and those in underserved areas—face structural barriers that require targeted support. For these young people, the agenda provides access to safe spaces, participation and protection. Ultimately, 2250 applies to all youth. It aims to expand opportunities rather than categories.
IJAB: Which international youth work initiatives are currently active in Jordan?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Several initiatives contribute to the YPS spirit, although they may not carry an explicit 2250 label. The Ministry of Youth’s National Youth Survey and the development of Jordan’s National Action Plan on 2250 are key examples of coordinated, youth‑centred efforts. The GIZ’s Civil Peace Service is notable for its participatory and context‑driven work; it uses tools such as theatre, storytelling and community dialogue to strengthen social cohesion, resilience and youth participation.
IJAB: What has worked well so far, and what has been less successful?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Youth participation has been a major success, with young people engaging in political reform processes and community initiatives. Progress has also been made in protection, including mental health programmes, and prevention, such as combating hate speech and gender‑based violence. Partnerships across institutions and organisations have delivered a more coordinated approach.
However, sustainable funding remains a challenge, and some initiatives remain disconnected from the broader YPS framework. More coherence and recognition of ongoing efforts would strengthen impact.
IJAB: If you had one wish, what measures would you implement to further strengthen YPS in Jordan?
Mohammad Ahmaro: I envision sustained, inclusive youth spaces that foster leadership and meaningful participation at all levels. This includes expanding creative methodologies—such as community arts and storytelling— that integrate mental health support and promote exchanges at local, national and international levels. Stronger institutional mechanisms for supporting and monitoring youth‑led initiatives would also ensure long‑term impact.
IJAB: What might successful cooperation between Jordan and Germany or the EU look like?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Any cooperation should focus on long‑term partnerships that promote knowledge exchange, youth‑to‑youth learning and institutional dialogue. Germany and the EU can support participatory models that strengthen community resilience and social cohesion, building on successful approaches such as the Civil Peace Service. Financial and technical support are essential, as is demonstrating that youth in all contexts—not only those in fragile settings—contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding.
IJAB: What achievements would you like to see in the next five to ten years?
Mohammad Ahmaro: Globally and in Jordan, I hope to see a shift away from overly technocratic measurements towards approaches that reflect the real, often invisible contributions of youth to peace. Research should better capture lived experiences such as building trust and preventing harm. It will be crucial to investment in meaningful spaces for connection, especially given this digitally connected yet socially fragmented world. Creative methodologies should be recognised as central to peacebuilding. For Jordan, I hope that the commitments under UNSCR 2250 will become fully institutionalised and long‑term.
IJAB: What message do you have for the young people who are committed to peace and participation?
Mohammad Ahmaro: You are not only the future—you are the present. Your creativity, courage and engagement already strengthen your communities. Don’t let anyone tell you that your role begins later. Resolution 2250 did not create your contribution; it acknowledged it. Demand meaningful participation and seek environments that value and protect your involvement. Build connections, challenge stereotypes and continue acting as partners and leaders in peacebuilding. Your voice is a right—claim it confidently and with humanity.
