I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5851 
To require the USAID Youth Coordinator, in their role as defined by the 
USAID Youth Policy, to coordinate cross-sectoral international develop-
ment efforts related to youth, inclusive of youth, peace, and security, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 
Ms. MENG (for herself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. PHILLIPS, Mr. LAWLER, Ms. 
KAMLAGER-DOVE, and Ms. SALAZAR) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To require the USAID Youth Coordinator, in their role as 
defined by the USAID Youth Policy, to coordinate cross- 
sectoral international development efforts related to 
youth, inclusive of youth, peace, and security, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Youth, Peace, and Se-
curity Act of 2023’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
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(1) As of 2023, there are an estimated 2.4 bil-
lion people in the world between the ages of 10–29 
years of age, which represents the largest number of 
young people to have existed in human history, with 
90 percent of youth (ages 15–24) in developing 
countries, and 1 out of every 4 young people directly 
affected by conflict, violence, and crisis. 
(2) More than 1 billion children and youth are 
exposed to violence each year. Failure to properly 
address adversity experienced during childhood (ages 
0–17) and youth (ages 10–29) can lead to lifelong 
deficiencies and compromises future opportunities 
for individual, community, and national develop-
ment. 
(3) The majority of the population in many 
conflict-affected countries is younger than 20 years 
of age, with some countries having more than 70 
percent of the population who are younger than 30 
years of age. 
(4) Only 2.2 percent of parliamentarians are 
under 30, and less than 1 percent are young women. 
Youth therefore remain underrepresented around the 
world in peacebuilding, political decision-making 
processes, conflict prevention, management, and res-
olution, and post-conflict resolution relief and recov-
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ery efforts. As a consequences, youth may turn from 
institutional politics as they feel their governments 
are not addressing critical issues they care about. 
(5) When we fail to effectively engage youth, it 
can lead to violence, instability, unrest, and irregular 
and forced migration. For example, Sub-Saharan Af-
rica hosts more than 26 percent of the world’s 52 
million refugees and internally displaced persons 
(IDPs), of which approximately 50 percent are 
youth. In Latin America and the Caribbean there 
are 6.3 million migrants that are under 18 years old, 
and most migrants from this region come from frag-
ile states with economic and political instability, 
where youth can be the deliberate targets of vio-
lence. 
(6) Adverse climate impacts, increased food in-
security and malnutrition, rising debt, growing in-
equality, price shocks and inflation, democratic re-
cession, and the continued impacts of COVID on 
service delivery contribute to the instability of com-
munities, disproportionately impacting the economic, 
educational, and security prospects of youth, and 
their mental health and wellbeing. 
(7) Digital transformation has dramatically 
changed industries, governments, economies, and so-
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cieties. Digital ecosystems, consisting of stake-
holders, systems, and enabling environments, can 
empower people and communities to use digital tech-
nology to access services, engage with others, and 
pursue economic opportunities in partner countries. 
Digital ecosystems also come with risks of increasing 
inequality, 
repression, 
and 
instability. 
Unsurprisingly, the rise of digital technology has 
had a profound impact on young people, raising new 
opportunities and challenges alike for youth, peace, 
and security, from youth mental health and 
wellbeing to online recruitment and mobilization to 
online peacebuilding movements. 
(8) Youth and youth-led groups and movements 
have demonstrated the capacity of young people to 
play critical roles in calling for reform through, for 
example, nonviolent action and peaceful protests to 
hold governments accountable and attempt to de-
crease or prevent authoritarianism in their countries, 
by serving as a bridge between traditional commu-
nity values and cultural globalization, and by build-
ing diverse coalitions that advance more peaceful 
and democratic outcomes for their communities and 
countries, including— 
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youth, peace, and security, can contribute to better 
and more sustainable outcomes. 
(10) Preventive, resilience-based, and cross-cut-
ting youth-inclusive approaches are more effective at 
reducing physical and psychological violence than 
hard security responses and at-risk and remedial ap-
proaches, which are often counterproductive. 
(11) Youth who have participated in United 
States-supported civic engagement and development 
programs are less likely to participate in or support 
political violence. 
(12) Youth participation in the design and im-
plementation of community development strategies is 
critical for effectively reducing violence and extre-
mism, and increasing young peoples’ education, eco-
nomic opportunity and empowerment, civic engage-
ment, and positive health outcomes, which can con-
tribute to peace and stability. 
(13) Young people around the world, particu-
larly 
adolescent 
girls 
and 
members 
of 
the 
LGBTQI+ community, but also young men and 
boys, are disproportionately affected by all forms of 
violence. This includes, but is not limited to, risks 
associated with technology facilitated violence, such 
as intimidation, harassment, exploitation, abuse, 
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trafficking, 
misinformation, 
disinformation, 
malinformation, data tracking, and other threats, 
which warrant increased attention. Such risks also 
inhibit young peoples’ ability to participate in digital 
networks, democracy rights and governance and 
peacebuilding movements. 
(14) A study by PLAN International, which 
surveyed girls in 22 countries, found that— 
(A) 58 percent of respondents reported 
that they had personally experienced some form 
of online harassment on social media platforms; 
(B) activists attracted particular vitriol 
and attention; and 
(C) 47 percent of respondents reported 
that they had been attacked for their opinions. 
(15) The shrinking of global civic spaces facing 
youth, as documented in the United Nations Office 
of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth’s report, 
‘‘If I Disappear’’, shows the complexity of the grave 
threats, challenges, and barriers against diverse 
groups of youth active in the civic space, taking the 
forms of sociocultural, financial, political, legal, dig-
ital, and physical. Shrinking civic and political 
spaces challenge the ability of youth to contribute to 
society effectively and meaningfully, often resulting 
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in declining trust in government institutions among 
youth, leading to youth directing social, civic, and 
political participation to informal channels. 
(16) Many national and international mecha-
nisms for the protection of human rights defenders, 
peacebuilders, and humanitarians usually apply to 
adults (individuals over the age of 29) excluding 
youth (age 29 and younger) due to their age. 
(17) United Nations Security Council Resolu-
tion 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, which was 
adopted on December 9, 2015, formalized an inter-
national framework to address the role of youth in 
building and sustaining peace and preventing con-
flict. 
(18) United Nations Security Council Resolu-
tion 2419 on Youth, Peace, and Security, which was 
adopted on June 6, 2018, calls for increasing and 
formalizing the role of youth in negotiating and im-
plementing peace agreements. 
(19) United Nations Security Council Resolu-
tion 2535 on Youth, Peace, and Security, which was 
adopted on July 14, 2020, advocates for the in-
creased protection of youth peacebuilders at risk of 
violence, creates a two-year reporting mechanism on 
Youth, Peace, and Security, and recognizes the crit-
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ical role of youth in mitigating humanitarian crises, 
such as COVID–19. 
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the United States 
Government should, consistent with the priorities of 
USAID’s 2022 Youth In Development Policy— 
(1) apply Do No Harm principles, while recog-
nizing that engaging young people as partners in 
peacebuilding and humanitarian activities is critical 
in fragile environments; 
(2) promote the meaningful and inclusive en-
gagement of youth in peacebuilding and conflict pre-
vention, management, and resolution, as well as 
post-conflict relief and recovery efforts and proc-
esses, reinforced through diplomatic efforts and pro-
grams; 
(3) provide assistance to and build the capacity 
of youth-led organizations dedicated to advancing 
peace and review administrative and bureaucratic 
impediments to achieving this aim; 
(4) build on new learning and existing United 
States Government strategies addressing youth, 
peace, and security, including the Women, Peace 
and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–68) and 
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the Action Plan developed pursuant to section 8, to 
ensure that— 
(A) there is meaningful, inclusive and equi-
table participation of diverse youth in decision 
making at all levels; 
(B) such decision making is designed and 
assessed in consultation with youth representing 
diverse identities and situations, including 
youth from marginalized and underrepresented 
groups, including young women and girls, 
LGBTQI+ youth, indigenous youth, and youth 
with disabilities; 
(C) ensure that the voices, experiences, 
and perspectives of local youth are heard and 
valued, and create accessible platforms for dia-
logue and participatory processes that allow 
them to contribute to decision making, peace 
negotiations, and policy development at the 
local and municipal levels; and 
(D) recognize that youth, including young 
women and girls, are not a homogenous group 
and have diverse experiences and perspectives, 
and ensure inclusivity by engaging and incor-
porating the perspectives of marginalized and 
underrepresented 
youth, 
girls, 
and 
young 
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women, including those from minority commu-
nities, indigenous backgrounds, and rural areas; 
(5) integrate youth outreach and engagement 
into relevant conflict-resolution, leadership, democ-
racy, and governance programs supported by the 
United States Government; and 
(6) include policies that are specific to boys and 
girls at various ages and programming in the design, 
implementation, and evaluation of relevant United 
States foreign assistance programs. 
SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
It shall be the policy of the United States to promote 
the inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in 
peacebuilding and conflict prevention, management, and 
resolution, and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts, re-
inforced through diplomatic efforts and assistance pro-
grams that— 
(1) elevate and incorporate the perspectives and 
interests of affected youth into conflict-prevention, 
violence-reduction, and post-conflict peacebuilding 
activities and strategies; 
(2) increase meaningful and inclusive youth en-
gagement in program planning and policy develop-
ment related to conflict prevention and violence re-
duction, democracy and governance, and security 
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sector initiatives funded by the United States Gov-
ernment; 
(3) promote the safety, security, and dignity of 
youth in crisis, conflict, and other fragile environ-
ments; 
(4) provide technical and financial support to 
diverse youth-led groups, initiatives, and innovations 
working on issues of peace and security; 
(5) support greater access of youth-led and 
youth-serving organizations who are traditionally 
less represented in peacebuilding and conflict pre-
vention programming to United States foreign as-
sistance aid distribution mechanisms and services; 
(6) advance civic education in formal and non- 
formal settings, increase youth civic and political 
participation and representation, and bolster collec-
tive action and leadership that improve democracy, 
peace, and security outcomes; 
(7) encourage partner governments to adopt 
plans to increase meaningful and inclusive youth en-
gagement in peace and security processes and deci-
sion-making institutions; 
(8) recognize the unique context underrep-
resented and marginalized youth, including girls and 
young women, experience in conflict and violence 
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settings by adjusting programs and policies that per-
tain to the achievement of the strategy and policy 
goals of this Act— 
(A) to protect youth population that are 
especially vulnerable, including girls and young 
women, and to ensure their online and offline 
safety, security, and dignity; 
(B) to support their equal access to aid 
and development assistance; 
(C) to prioritize programs to improve out-
comes in inclusion, equality, and empowerment; 
and 
(D) to recognize the critical roles and 
agency of young people in peacebuilding, recov-
ery, and development and prioritize the inclu-
sion of underrepresented and marginalized 
youth in these processes and efforts; 
(9) recognize the unique challenges facing youth 
affected by conflict and violence in the areas of— 
(A) trauma, psychosocial, and mental 
health issues; 
(B) stigma and other challenges with com-
munity reintegration after conflict or gang asso-
ciation, such as access to education, training, 
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and economic opportunity, and a lack of access 
to related services; and 
(C) a lack of access to education, training, 
and economic opportunity in pre-conflict, con-
flict and post-conflict settings; and 
(10) recognize the unique challenges facing 
young people from a variety of different back-
grounds and demographics including but not limited 
to, race, religion, ethnicity, linguistics, and youth 
with disabilities. 
SEC. 5. USAID YOUTH COORDINATOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in con-
sultation with the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development (USAID) shall re-
quire the USAID Youth Coordinator, in their role as de-
fined by the USAID Youth Policy, to coordinate cross-sec-
toral international development efforts related to youth, 
inclusive of youth, peace, and security. 
(b) DELEGATION.—At the discretion of the Secretary 
of State, the authority to require the USAID Youth Coor-
dinator to fulfill this role may be delegated by the Sec-
retary of State to the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development (USAID). 
(c) DUTIES.—The USAID Youth Coordinator shall— 
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(1) have the primary responsibility for the advo-
cacy and integration of youth into USAID initia-
tives, oversee the youth and development policy co-
herence, support implementation and training; and 
serve as a senior representative on youth issues in 
the interagency and external community; 
(2) lead the development and implementation of 
the United States Foreign Assistance Youth, Peace, 
and Security Action Plan in accordance with section 
8; 
(3) lead revision, not less frequently than once 
every 5 years of such Plan; 
(4) oversee the interagency coordination as pro-
vided for under section 6, by engaging Youth, Peace, 
and Security policy and program experts across Fed-
eral agencies to inform the development, implemen-
tation, and revision such Plan; 
(5) facilitate outreach to and exchange with 
multilateral agencies and other youth, peace, and se-
curity stakeholders established under section 6 to in-
form such Plan, by carrying out— 
(A) outreach to facilitate exchange between 
USAID and a diverse range of youth leaders, 
youth-led organizations, and youth-serving or-
ganizations advancing youth, peace, and secu-
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rity to inform and provide recommendations to 
improve the Action Plan; and 
(B) engagement with multilateral agencies 
and international organizations to inform the 
development, implementation, and revision of 
the Action Plan; and 
(6) support, consistent with USAID’s Policy for 
Youth in Development, the designation of a Youth 
Point of Contact (YPOC) in USAID Bureaus and 
diplomatic overseas Mission, as selected by such mis-
sions and bureaus. 
(d) RESTRICTION
ON
ADDITIONAL
OR
SUPPLE-
MENTAL COMPENSATION.—The USAID Youth Coordi-
nator shall receive no additional or supplemental com-
pensation as a result of carrying our responsibilities and 
duties under this section. 
SEC. 6. COORDINATION. 
To advance coordination for cross-sectoral inter-
national development efforts related to youth, inclusive of 
youth, peace, and security, the USAID Youth Coordinator 
shall— 
(1) serve as the focal point for intra agency and 
interagency coordination of youth, peace, and secu-
rity initiatives between USAID and other United 
States Government peacebuilding offices, entities, 
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