A shared commitment to democratic values

The cooperation reflects a shared understanding that young people must have an active role in protecting and developing democratic societies.

For S2pU, the partnership is based on three interconnected principles:

PEACE
Young people should be given opportunities to build relationships across borders, understand each other’s experiences and become active contributors to peace.

FREEDOM
Young people must understand the value of freedom and the responsibility that comes with protecting it.

DEMOCRACY
Democracy depends on informed, engaged citizens. Young people should be equipped with knowledge, critical thinking and practical opportunities to participate.

From Ukraine to Europe

The cooperation with Ukrainian youth and institutions gives the initiative a strong European dimension.

Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that democracy and freedom cannot be taken for granted. Ukrainian young people are experiencing first-hand the consequences of war, attacks on democratic values and the struggle to preserve their country’s freedom and European future.

Their voices therefore have an important place in the European democratic conversation.

S2pU aims to create a platform where Ukrainian and Norwegian young people can meet, exchange experiences and develop ideas for a more peaceful, free and democratic Europe.

Youth Peace Conference 2027 – Oslo

The planned Youth Peace Conference 2027 will bring together young people, educators, civil society representatives, decision-makers and prominent international voices.

The conference will provide a platform for:

• Youth participation and democratic engagement
• Peace, freedom and human rights
• Democracy and resilience
• The role of young people in Europe’s future
• Dialogue between Ukrainian and Norwegian youth
• Cooperation between young people, civil society and political leaders

A central objective is to ensure that young people are not merely an audience in the democratic debate, but active participants in shaping it.

A growing international network

S2pU is developing cooperation with young people, educational institutions, civil society organisations and public authorities in both Ukraine and Norway.

The initiative is also supported by prominent voices in the fields of democracy, peace and security, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen, who are connected to the Youth Peace Conference 2027 initiative.

Together, these partnerships contribute to an international platform where youth perspectives, democratic values and practical cooperation can meet.

Why this matters

The positive response from Ukraine strengthens the foundation of the S2pU initiative in three important ways:

1. International legitimacy
The initiative is being met with interest and support from Ukrainian public institutions.

2. European relevance
The project connects Norwegian and Ukrainian youth in a broader European conversation about democracy, freedom and peace.

3. Youth ownership
Young people are being given a genuine role in developing the agenda and contributing their perspectives to decision-makers.