Peace and
Community
Why it matters
Everyone deserves to live in a peaceful society and feel as though we belong.
The issues
In a world that feels more and more divided, young people are feeling the impacts of polarisation in our everyday lives.
Divisions and tribalism caused by misinformation, disinformation, echo chambers and bias are making it harder to find common purpose and feel safe. This is causing a spread of negativity and lack of understanding between groups on the basis of who we are, where we are from and what we believe, allowing a growth in hostility, anger and violence.
What young people said?
Young people highlighted issues around:
- Violence
- Inability to walk without fear
- Criticism seen as an issue, when we should learn and grow
- Increase in far-right ideology
- Echo chamber – spread of misinformation and negativity
- Unconscious bias – generational teachings
- Online violence
- Exist but can’t thrive
What we want decision makers to do
- Develop critical thinking skills in schools - teach young people how to identify sources, understand bias and view things from different perspectives.
- More visibility of community groups - give more opportunities for those from different backgrounds to meet and make them accessible.
- Targeting areas of need - give opportunities to bring together communities in areas where diversity is less such as rural areas.
- Create more safe spaces for nuanced discussion.
- Hold the media to account - media shapes conversations and when they target certain communities they can foster further division.
- Encourage the celebration of all cultures.
Action plan
The Small Steps
Be an active citizen - challenge misinformation and disinformation when it is safe to do so.
Self reflection - practice questioning your own beliefs and what their foundations are.
Openness - practice engaging in conversations with those that have other views and being open to other perspectives.
Media consumption - make an effort to read from more than one perspective on the same issue in order to form your own opinion.
Be kind - respect other perspectives even when you disagree.
Contact
For more information contact: holly@youthaction.org
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