Norm diffusion i Maldiverna: Internationella normers mottagande och förändring i verklighetens komplexitet.

Researchers say that the world is experiencing a “youth bulge” that is creating great socioeconomic and employment-related challenges. The youth bulge also means more young people are falling victims for failed peace processes, political unrest and violence. To address the issues related to youth, peace and security the UN Security Council adopted in December 2015, resolution 2250 (UNSCR2250).¨ The aim of this study is to determine if and how the international norms of UNSCR 2250 have been received and altered in policy at a national and local level. To determine this, in-depth case studies of the Maldivian National Action Points from the resolution’s national launch as well as the civil society organization JCI Maldives (JCIM) aims and objectives on youth, peace and security, are analyzed in relation to the resolution. The study uses theories of vertical and horizontal norm diffusion, friction and localization to track the changes between the different levels of abstraction. The study’s thesis shows that the JCIM and the Maldivian state have interpreted the international norms differently and that there is a broader adaptation at the local level. At the national level, there has been more resistance and a greater dominance of the state's own interests when adopting the resolution's recommendations. At both levels, there has been a “frictional” encounter with the international norms as well as a process of “localization”. The study concludes that international norms make a difference in how policy is drafted, and that these norms change due to frictional encounters and the process of localization