Accept International

Accept International and Accept International USA are nonprofit organizations working to address one of the most challenging dimensions of armed conflict: the involvement of young people in armed groups and cycles of violence. We work directly with young people involved in armed conflict, supporting them in laying down their weapons, reintegrating into society, and becoming agents of peace in their communities. Our activities currently span countries and regions including Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Colombia, and Indonesia. Alongside this work, we provide humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities and victims, promote reconciliation and social reintegration, and contribute to the development of international norms and frameworks that enable young people involved in armed conflict to break free from cycles of violence. Through our work in conflict-affected settings, we have come to recognize that achieving our vision of a world free from armed conflict requires more than action on the ground. It also requires collaboration across borders with a diverse range of organizations, communities, professionals, researchers, supporters, and individuals who share our commitment to peace. To expand this work globally, we established Accept International USA in September 2025 as our U.S.-based nonprofit organization. Since then, Accept International USA has been working to strengthen our global engagement through public awareness and outreach, online events, fundraising, and the development of partnerships and networks across the United States and beyond. Through Accept International USA, we aim to connect more people and organizations with our mission and create new opportunities for individuals in the United States to contribute their skills, expertise, networks, and resources to advancing peacebuilding efforts around the world.

In a divided world, we face countless challenges arising from armed conflicts and terrorism, resulting in devastating loss of life, forced displacement, and widespread human rights violations against vulnerable communities. These crises are perpetuated by cycles of violence, often fueled by approaches rooted in retaliation and the continuation of conflict. Unless this cycle of violence is broken, achieving lasting peace will remain impossible. Our work focuses on those most affected by armed conflict, including individuals seeking to disengage from non-state armed groups, vulnerable children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and others experiencing social exclusion in humanitarian crises. We believe that sustainable peace requires innovative, human rights-based approaches that enable individuals to break free from cycles of violence and empower them to become Agents of Peace. In conflict-affected contexts, we support the voluntary disengagement of individuals from non-state armed groups, including so-called violent extremist organisations, and provide comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programmes through psychosocial support, education, and vocational training. Together with participants from our programmes, we also deliver humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities and support reconciliation efforts that foster long-term social cohesion. Beyond our field programmes, we work to advance international norms and policies that promote disengagement from violence and recognise Youth in Armed Conflic, including Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG) as potential Agents of Peace. We believe that their lived experiences and meaningful empowerment are essential to achieving sustainable peace.