They didn't start the fire:
Millennial views on war and peace

How the next generation of thinkers and leaders could fundamentally remake our collective future.

Millennials on War is a new ICRC survey of more than 16,000 millennials in 16 countries and territories - roughly half in peace, and half experiencing conflict.

In a world facing new and shifting sources of conflict, including disinformation and polarizing rhetoric around conflict, it's a snapshot of their perspectives on human rights, warfare and international law. 

 

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Complete country-level data and methodology are available below.

A global fear

Almost half of all millennials surveyed think it's more likely than not that there will be a third world war in their lifetime.

54 per cent of millennials
-----------------
believe it is likely that 
a nuclear attack will occur 
in the next decade.

What about the rules of war?

The survey reveals worrying trends that point to a lack of respect for the basic human values enshrined in international law.

37 per cent of millennials
-----------------
believe torture is acceptable under
some circumstances, even after
the UN Convention banning
torture is explained to them.

But there is still hope for the future

Encouragingly, millennials are steadfast in their belief that wars are avoidable and should have limits.

75 per cent of millennials
-----------------
believe that most wars could be
avoided and think that
there remains a need to impose limits
on the ways wars are fought.

What is the word on the street?

Standing up for humanity - will you?

Maintaining the basic values underpinning the rules of war is critical for humanity’s future. We’re urging millennials to engage, listen to each other and empathise more, even with someone whose view they disagree with, without prejudice. The willingness to engage with all sides of an argument, with people you don’t agree with or understand, is critical for humanity.