The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Miroslav Jenča, joined 500 young people from schools across the city, local authorities, victims, and signatories to the Agreement to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
Medellín, 30 September 2026. As part of the International Day of Peace, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Colombia and Head of the UN Verification Mission, Miroslav Jenča, visited Medellín to mark the occasion with young people from the city and to discuss with the Governor of Antioquia, the Mayor of Medellín, the security forces, signatories to the peace agreement, the Ombudsman’s Office and civil society organisations regarding the progress and challenges in implementing the Peace Agreement in Antioquia.
Initially, during the “Festival of Young Peacebuilders” held at the University of Medellín—attended by 500 young people and organised by the Mayor’s Office Secretariat for Peace and Human Rights, the Juntanza por la Vida (which brings together more than 70 civil society organisations), the Municipal Ombudsman’s Office, and other bodies— the Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Miroslav Jenča, emphasised that every year the United Nations calls for the commemoration of the International Day of Peace; this year in particular, it called for “investing in peace for everyone, everywhere and every day”. This is a tribute to those who drive local action, whatever form it may take, from wherever they may be, and who can do their bit.
“Colombia set an example to the world with the 2016 Agreement between the Colombian government and the now-defunct FARC. For the mission and for the United Nations system, it has been and continues to be an honour to accompany the country on this hopeful path towards peace, marked from the outset by the leadership of the Colombian people themselves,” added Jenča.
He noted that “one cannot speak of peace without young people” and that including young people in conflict resolution processes is at the heart of the UN’s youth, peace and security agenda. “I wish to reiterate the Mission’s commitment to you, the young people, to the communities, to the victims and to those who have laid down their arms,” he added.
“Today, young people are the key players in building peace in Colombia. Many of you were children when the Agreement was signed. Learning about it can be the first step towards understanding the vital role you play today in helping the country move forward with reconciliation,” he said.
“Children and young people do not belong in war. Their place is in schools, universities, science and nature. Young people are the driving force behind innovation, progress and positive change in our world,” he emphasised.
The Special Representative concluded his address by referring to the slogan for Peace Month 2026: “Peace calls to us, moves us, unites us; reconciliation is the way forward. I invite you to walk together towards this common goal,” he concluded.
Youth Manifesto for Life
The event began with a welcome address by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medellín, Néstor Raúl Posada Arboleda, and the screening of the UN Secretary-General’s message for the International Day of Peace. After the Special Representative’s address, Medellín’s Secretary for Peace and Human Rights, Carlos Alberto Arcila Valencia; the district ombudswoman, Mefi Boset Rave Gómez; and Juan Camilo Sánchez Zapata, youth representative of the Network of Ombudsmen and student leaders from Belén and Altavista, gave speeches.
One of the key moments was the reading and signing of the Manifesto for Peace and Life, a text written from the perspective of young people which highlights “human rights as the minimum standard for any dignified society; historical memory as an ethical compass to ensure the wounds of the past are not repeated; creative and peaceful resistance in the face of violence and exclusion; and working with communities, because peace is woven in neighbourhoods, villages, schools and local areas”.
Later, during a panel discussion moderated by the Network of Ombudsmen, young people working to build peace from different perspectives shared their experiences. Among them was Estefanía Zapata, the daughter of a signatory to the peace agreement, who attended with her physics and astronomy research group, alongside representatives from the District Victims’ Committee and the city’s youth networks.
At the same time, the Youth Fair brought together stands run by peace signatories, conflict victims, and youth organisations. At the UN Verification Mission in Colombia’s stand, attendees could enjoy a virtual reality experience.
Elizabeth Yarce Ospina
Public Information Officer
Medellín Regional Office of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Fotografías: Daria Krasnova, Elizabeth Yarce / UN Verification Mission in Colombia
