Edito

by Lorena Barić

**Dear Coyote readers,**

Welcome to the new issue of Coyote, an online magazine for everyone passionate about and active in the youth field. In this edition, we delve into an important and sensitive topic: conflict and war, and their profound impact on young people, and youth work, but also on the potential of young people and youth work for conflict resolution and, ultimately, building a better future.

What is conflict?

Conflict is a term that has diverse interpretations for individuals, ranging from intrapersonal to international, and from individual to societal levels. As described in the Youth Partnership’s T-Kit 12: Youth transforming conflict (p. 54), there is ongoing debate about its definition. “Many attempts to define conflict in a way that best sums up its major aspects have been made. People who work in the (youth) field continue to work on developing definitions of conflicts according to their various features. For example, definitions exist based on the major causes of conflict, such as material resources, power, values or feelings (these are sometimes called ‘causative agents’). There are also definitions based on the nature of the conflict parties, such as individuals, organisations or states.”

Amidst the numerous global conflicts, such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine, conflicts in Georgia and the Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cyprus, the Middle East conflict and the enduring consequences of the Yugoslav War in the Balkans, many young Europeans experience (armed) conflicts first hand.

While “(Y)young people are faced with the whole range of conflict types: they meet it from intrapersonal to international situations; they deal with conflict at home, in educational institutions, and at work” (T-Kit: 12, p. 47), in this Coyote issue we have primarily focused on armed conflict. We aim to provide valuable insights into the intersection of the youth field and conflict.

Some of the topics covered in this issue:

Our magazine features a heartwarming personal story of a young Afghan refugee finding a home in Croatia, as well as the challenges faced by a vulnerable young person in the aftermath of war.

We also explore how youth work adapts and responds to the needs of young people during armed conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, and the impact of war and conflict on youth workers.

Additionally, the issue discusses the importance of talking with young people about war, as it aids in processing their emotions and concerns, providing crucial support during such difficult times.

Furthermore, we focus on the circumstances of young refugees and internally displaced young people, offering insights and reflections to consider when planning interventions to support them. We also discuss human rights education during war and its purpose and potential outside war zones.

Another important aspect we address is the unique challenges faced by Generation Z concerning gender roles and LGBTQ+ identities. This article highlights the transformative role of youth work in fostering resilience, supporting mental health, and empowering this generation to thrive despite adverse circumstances.

Our magazine also highlights the power and potential of young people as agents of change and peace advocates. Despite being the most vulnerable during times of war, young people often demonstrate remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. They actively engage in activities that seek to address conflict-related issues and consequences, creating positive change in their communities and societies.

Two peacebuilding organisations active during and post-war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, have shared their insights and experience with us regarding the role of young people and youth workers in peacebuilding.

Last but not least, we explore the roles of the European Commission and the Council of Europe in supporting young people and addressing conflicts through policies and activities.

As we mentioned in the beginning, conflict is a reality, and while it is an undoubtedly difficult and challenging reality, we hope that this issue provides deep insights into the transformative power of youth work and the strength of young people in driving peace and progress.

We hope that you will be inspired by this issue!

Sincerely,

The Coyote Editorial Team

P.S. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our contributors and members of the Coyote Editorial Team: