Peace Child International

learn more about us

Our Mission

Founded in 1981, PCI is one of the largest networks of youth-led organisations in consultative status with the United Nations. First famous for bringing the first Soviet Youth to the USA on a youth exchange to perform the musical, Peace Child, it has grown to unite 1,500+ affiliate groups and networks in over 180 countries. PCI’s mission is to empower young people to address the most pressing global challenges they are going to have to address in their lifetimes – climate change, peace, human rights, making poverty history and achieving sustainable prosperity for the entire human family.

Aims:

INFORM Young People about the challenges they face in the world

First INFORM young people about these challenges in ways that they can understand. Over the years, Peace Child has created a dazzling array of youth-created educational materials - books, lesson plans, musicals all written and illustrated, designed and edited by young people. PCI publications focus on peace, human rights and sustainable development, combating climate change, promoting healthy lifestyles and Fair Trade.

top

Once informed, encourage young people to TAKE ACTION

We stopped just doing education, musicals and awareness-raising programmes when our young affiliates told us: "Informing yourself of global challenges is not enough: youth don’t want to be passive observers of the world’s problems. You must empower us to take Action!" So the Be the Change! Youth-led Development(YLD) programme was born to empower young people to do small, community improvement projects costing up to $1,000. YLD is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's famous instruction on self-reliance: "YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world!"

top

Create a UNITED Global Youth who share and learn from each others experiences with governments, the UN and other agencies

PCI also organizes the World Youth Congress series promoting Youth-led Development and exploring, with youth, government, UN and other agencies, the question: “What is the most effective role for youth in the effort to achieve sustainable development?” This is an exciting bi-annual event bringing together youth from all over the world and giving them the chance to have a dialogue with the major power holders.

top

CAMPAIGN for 0.7% for Youth-Led Development

Our objective is to get aid agencies to invest 0.7% of their overseas development aid in YLD projects designed and delivered by that 51% of the world's population who are under 25. Seems fair, doesn’t it? – but right now, governments and major aid agencies rarely invest in the potential that young people possess to assist them in achieving their wider development agendas. Our campaign is designed to win the argument that YLD represents the best, most cost-effective investment that anyone can make in the effort to make poverty history in a sustainable way.

top