Young Adults’ Perception of Peacebuilding System for Sustainable Development and Security

Abstract

There have been concerted efforts from government at all levels, international bodies and other peacekeeping agencies all over the world, in Africa which include Nigeria. The perceived aggressors and agitators are the young adults who are now contrarily seen as change agents if involved in peacebuilding. This paper sought to examine the significant basis of the young adult’s perception of peacebuilding system for sustainable development. The study employed a descriptive survey research design; a research question was answered and three hypotheses tested using 1,830 participants from different parts of the country. A validated instrument tagged Young Adults’ Peception Questionnaire (ALESDLQ; r=0.93) was used for data collection in the study. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics of t-test and ANOVA. The findings revealed that there is significant difference in young adults’ perception (mean=1.24). Besides, these findings were gender sensitive (t (1,1726) =-0.03; p=0.95>0.05); age biased (F(2,1727)=0.45; p=0.61>0.05) and educational attainment (F(2,1727)=0.05; p=0.95>0.05) different. Young adults’ perception was discussed and it was recommended among others that full multi-sector programmes that target youth in specific areas of activity, such as employment creation and/or peacebuilding projects should be encouraged. It is therefore recommended that this group should be better catered for and included in peacebuilding.