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Q&A with Cristina Pedrini: Young WILPF at the Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels

As we celebrate 110 years of WILPF, we recognise that building a movement for feminist peace means strengthening the voices shaping its future. Young WILPF members are an essential part of this living legacy. In this special Youth Corner Q&A, we hear from Cristina Pedrini (WILPF Italy) about her experience at the Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels – carrying forward the spirit of WILPF’s mission then, now and into the future.

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Image credit: Young WILPF
  • 4 min
Cristina Pedrini
7 May 2025

On 6 March, I participated in the Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels to discuss – together with 24 youth activists and changemakers from around the world – with Kaja Kallas, High Representative – Vice President of the European Union (HR/VP).

How was your experience at the Youth Policy Dialogue?

I had no idea it would turn into such a memorable experience!

The program was dynamic and engaging: we participated in community-building sessions, interactive games focused on fact-checking and media literacy, and had discussions with the European External Action Service, Service for Foreign Policy Instruments and European Commission policymakers. These sessions prepared us for our dialogue with HR/VP Kallas on four key themes: 

  • Human Rights & Democracy
  • Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution
  • The EU and its Geopolitical Priorities
  • Global & Climate Diplomacy

Given my background and interest in peacebuilding, I joined the Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution working group. Together, we explored ways the EU could  take a leading role in conflict resolution and promoting global stability. During the one-on-one conversation with HR/VP Kallas, I shared a message I deeply believe in: 

“In these unpredictable times, as the United States is scaling back its funding for development and withdrawing from international commitments, the EU has a unique opportunity to step up as the global champion of diplomacy and mediation by strengthening prevention campaigns and playing a more active role in multilateral institutions and mediation processes. Now more than ever, global efforts should be focused on fostering dialogue, promoting peace and addressing international challenges through cooperation rather than conflict.”

Beyond the discussion with HR/VP Kallas, this experience gave me the chance to connect with many inspiring activists from Argentina, Syria, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Benin, and beyond. Their energy, passion, and commitment left a profound impact on me, and I hope to carry that spirit forward in everything I do. Together, we drafted 12 recommendations for HR/VP Kallas.

What lessons did you take from this experience?

Above all, this experience reaffirmed that youth voices matter. We are not just the future –we are the present.

While there are increasing efforts from the EU and international organisations such as the UN to create space for youth participation, access to decision-making remains a challenge. Many initiatives aim to include young people, yet true influence often remains limited.

At the Youth Policy Dialogue, I appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussions where youth perspectives were genuinely considered. This experience reinforced the importance of continuing to advocate for meaningful youth participation—not just as symbolic representatives but as active contributors shaping decisions that impact our communities and future.

What is it like to be an activist for peace today?

Talking about peace today is more challenging than ever. In the current geopolitical context, many governments are cutting funding for development and peacebuilding, redirecting resources towards armament and defense. While security is undeniably important, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Peace is not a passive state—it requires proactive investment in diplomacy, dialogue, and long-term stability. Maintaining a peace-oriented perspective means addressing immediate threats while also building resilient societies where conflicts are resolved through cooperation and understanding rather than force.

In your opinion, what are the challenges faced by young activists today?

Through conversations with fellow activists in Brussels, several key challenges to effective youth engagement have emerged:

  1. The most pressing issue is the lack of access to decision-makers. Even when youth are frequently invited to high-level conferences, their presence often merely serves as a symbolic gesture. While these events showcase youth involvement, the reality is that their ideas and contributions are rarely given real weight. “It is not enough to have young people at the table simply for the sake of appearances; there must be meaningful engagement and consideration of their perspectives.” 
  2.  Another significant issue is the widespread perception of youth as underqualified and inexperienced, a challenge that is even more pronounced for those from underrepresented backgrounds. 
  3. Many organisations claim to value youth participation yet their bureaucratic structures make meaningful engagement difficult. 

While challenges persist, initiatives like the Youth Policy Dialogue show that meaningful participation is possible when spaces are designed to truly listen to and incorporate youth perspectives. This experience has reinforced my commitment to pushing for youth voices to be heard—not just as part of the conversation, but as part of the decision-making process itself.

After your experience, what is your message for the other Young WILPFers?

To my fellow Young WILPFers: No matter how challenging the times, never let anything discourage you from advocating for peace and diplomacy. Your voice is powerful, and your ideas can spark change. Keep advocating for what you believe in, because the world needs your passion, your vision and your commitment to a more peaceful future.

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Cristina Pedrini

Cristina Pedrini is a young peacebuilder and member of WILPF Italy and Young WILPF. She is passionate about advancing social cohesion and building resilient communities, with a focus on issues such as disinformation, civic space, gender equality, youth, migration, and the rights of minorities. Cristina is dedicated to promoting inclusive, peaceful societies where all voices are heard and valued.

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

A woman in a blue, black, and white dress smiles radiantly in front of a leafy green background.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.