France backs UNESCO appeal for young people to help shape peace decisions

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot backed a UNESCO appeal on October 20 calling for young people to have a greater role in political decisions and efforts to prevent wars, according to Reuters. The appeal asks for youth representation in decision-making bodies and in conflict-prevention and mediation mechanisms.

Reuters reported that UNESCO formally adopted the appeal after 145 young representatives from 135 countries drafted it. Barrot wrote on X that young people’s voices matter. His backing comes as students in France have been protesting over school conditions and their influence on political decisions; high school students were due to join another national protest on October 24.

What the UNESCO youth appeal calls for

Barrot said peace among nations and within societies depends on people settling differences respectfully while recognising that they share a common future, according to Reuters. His endorsement adds France’s public support to the appeal, which calls on governments to give young people a voice in decisions that affect them.

How young leaders developed the proposal

UNESCO said the initiative was developed during summer 2026 with support from France. Young leaders presented a Call by Young People and a Young People’s Reflection Document in Paris. The initiative brought together 145 participants from 135 countries, giving the proposals an international scope beyond the protests taking place in France.

On September 3 and 4, eleven young leaders discussed their ideas with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and Barrot at UNESCO Headquarters and France’s Fabrique de la Diplomatie at Sorbonne Nouvelle University, UNESCO said. The organisation said both officials recognised the importance of youth engagement for peace and young people’s role in addressing current challenges. Those discussions preceded Barrot’s October 20 public backing of the appeal.