As Paths to Peace reaches the end of Work Package 2, the project partners have soon completed an important milestone: the development of the Global Peace Perspectives Roadmap. This document brings together several months of collaborative research and offers a valuable foundation for the next stages of the project. In Work Package 3, we will work together with young people to move from understanding peacebuilding through tourism to actively shaping new ideas and proposals.
The soon finalised Roadmap explores the intersection between tourism, youth engagement and peacebuilding. Based on survey findings and interviews in combination with case studies, desk research, and field insights, the Roadmap paints a picture of the opportunities and challenges facing youth who wish to engage in tourism-based peacebuilding.
Understanding how youth view tourism and peace
The youth survey results show that young people recognise the potential of tourism to support peace. Many believe that travel, storytelling and cultural encounters can promote dialogue and understanding. However, the research also reveals that many have had limited exposure to concrete opportunities to put these ideas into practice.
In our upcoming Work Package 3, this is exactly what we aim to address- providing concrete opportunities for youth to put their ideas into practice. The work completed so far provides a strong foundation. The Roadmap will help us understand youth perspectives, identify existing barriers and clarify the support they need to engage confidently in peace-oriented tourism initiatives.
To meaningfully connect youth, tourism and peace, we must begin by understanding how young people experience the world around them. With these insights in hand, we are now ready to build the tools and learning experiences that will allow them to lead the next steps.
Case studies: What peacebuilding through tourism looks like in practice
The Roadmap will also feature case studies that illustrate how tourism can create shared experiences and understanding in diverse contexts. All examples aiming to show that tourism can be a powerful framework for connection when intentionally designed. Also, these stories offers inspiration and models that Paths to Peace will explore and build upon as we engage youth in the next phases of the project!
From research to action
With the Roadmap soon completed, Paths to Peace is preparing for Work Package 3, where insights from the research will directly shape practical learning experiences. The upcoming hybrid workshops will focus on building the skills youth identified as most needed. These workshops will also prepare participants for the next stage: mentorship, co-creation and the development of youth-led proposals that will be showcased during the project’s international hackathon.
We’re now in full work-mode to finalise the Roadmap while planning for our next Work Package- Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you would like to be involved in upcoming workshops, either as mentor or participant!
Blog post written by STIC