Global Civil Society & the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions


Goal 16 is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives whatever their ethnicity, faith or sexual orientation.

However, ongoing and new violent conflicts around the world are derailing the global path to peace and achievement of Goal 16. Alarmingly, the year 2022 witnessed a more than 50 per cent increase in conflict-related civilian deaths – the first since the adoption of Agenda 2030 – largely due to the war in Ukraine.

High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, while sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.

Governments, civil society and communities need to work together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms, combating corruption, and ensuring inclusive participation at all times.

Name Acronym Founded City HQ Country/Territory HQ Type I Type II

Yale Center for the Study of Globalization

YCSG 2001 New Haven CT USA G

YMCA Europe

1973 Brussels Belgium E

York Centre for International and Security Studies

YCISS 1981 North York ON Canada G

YOU Stiftung - Bildung für Kinder in Not

YOU Foundation 1992 Düsseldorf Germany G f

Young Democrats for Europe

YDE 2007 Brussels Belgium E

Young Europe - Youth Network Against Racism and Intolerance

YNRI Moscow Russia G

Young European Leadership

YEL Brussels Belgium F

Young Friends of the Earth Europe

Young FoEE Brussels Belgium E

Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia

YLDA 2002 D

Young Presidents' Organization

YPO 1950 Irving TX USA G

Young Professionals in Foreign Policy

YPFP 2004 F

Young Property Lawyers' Forum

YPLF F

Youth against Racism in Europe

YRE 1992 London UK D

Youth and Environment Europe

YEE 1983 Prague Czechia E

Youth Atlantic Treaty Association

YATA 1997 Brussels Belgium E

Youth Cancer Europe

YCE 2015 F f

Youth Coalition

YCSRR 1999 Ottawa ON Canada F

Youth for Exchange and Understanding

YEU 1986 Brussels Belgium F

Youth For Public Transport

Y4PT 2009 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek Belgium F

Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa

YiSHDA 2010 Abuja Nigeria G

Youth of European Nationalities

YEN 1963 Berlin Germany F

Youth Organisations for Drug Action

YODA 2011 D

Youth Society for Peace and Development of the Balkans

YSPDB 1998 Plovdiv Bulgaria G

Youthvoice Worldwide

YVW London UK N

ZaMir Transnational Net

1992 F

Zen Peacemakers

ZP 2002 Montague MA USA G

Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze

ZIF 2002 Berlin Germany G

Ziviler Friedensdienst

ZFD 1999 Bonn Germany G y

ZOA

1973 Apeldoorn Netherlands G

Zonta International

1919 Oak Brook IL USA F

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