November 11, 2025 – WPDI joined global leaders and organizations at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, held on October 29–30 at the Musée de l’Homme and the Musée de la Marine in the Palais de Chaillot, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed back in 1948. Located in such an auspicious setting, this year’s Forum served as an essential platform for international and multicultural dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas on how to strengthen peace and multilateralism in a rapidly changing world.
Dialogue and Connection Fostered at WPDI’s Booth
Chosen to host a booth as part of this year’s exhibition at the Forum, WPDI transformed its space into a lively gathering point where visitors from across sectors came together to learn about our mission to empower communities. Through meaningful conversations, shared stories, and candid reflection, the space embodied WPDI’s belief that peace begins when people connect.
Our booth highlighted the Youth Peacemaker Network in South Sudan, demonstrating the initiative’s transformative impact and the success of WPDI’s model worldwide. As part of WPDI’s delegation, Nandege Magdalena Lokoro, a Youth Peacemaker from South Sudan, attended the Forum and engaged visitors at our booth, sharing personal thoughts on how WPDI’s programs have empowered her and many others, helping to foster reconciliation within communities of South Sudan. Her story embodied the essence of WPDI’s mission, demonstrating how trust, dialogue, and perseverance can transform conflict into opportunity.
She was joined by Dagu David, WPDI’s Country Manager for South Sudan, who informed participants about the Youth Peacemakers Network (YPN) and its far-reaching impact across the country. He would highlight how WPDI’s model equips young leaders to become agents of peace and development, helping their communities build lasting resilience through education, livelihoods, and social cohesion.
Championing Civil Society and Youth Leadership
On the second day, WPDI contributed to two panel discussions that explored ways to strengthen civil society and amplify youth leadership.
Caroline Descombris, WPDI’s Executive Director, participated in the session “Supporting Civil Society Under Pressure: How Charity Lotteries Can Help Reshape the Funding Landscape in Europe.” The panel included representatives from the Association of Charity Lotteries in Europe (ACLEU), which counts two partners of WPDI— the People’s Postcode Lottery of the UK and the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, a long-time supporter of our work.She spoke about the growing challenges facing civil society organizations, including the increasing demand for services in education, mental health, and social cohesion, as well as limited access to sustainable funding. Heralding WPDI’s partnerships with charity lotteries, Caroline emphasized the need for flexible, long-term support mechanisms that enable local organizations to drive meaningful, community-based change.
You can find the recording of this panel, here:Supporting Civil Society Under Pressure: How Charity Lotteries can Help Reshape the Funding
Later in the day, Dagu David joined the panel “Empowering Youth to Lead Peacebuilding, Social Change, and Cohesion,” where he shared WPDI’s experience in helping young people translate training in mediation, entrepreneurship, and leadership into tangible community impact. He encouraged youth everywhere to engage in local action, affirming that their voices and creativity are the foundation of a more peaceful and resilient future.
His reflections illustrated a key lesson that has defined WPDI’s work across the globe: when young people are equipped to lead, they not only change their own trajectories, they strengthen the social fabric of their communities.
You can find the recording of this panel, here: Empowering Youth to Lead Peacebuilding, Social Change, and Cohesion
A Shared Vision for the Future
As the Forum came to a close, WPDI reflected on two days of meaningful dialogue, new partnerships, and renewed commitment to global cooperation. The discussions affirmed a truth at the heart of WPDI’s mission: that lasting peace grows from within communities through empowered youth, inclusive institutions, and strong civil societies.
At the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, WPDI saw firsthand how collaboration across sectors and regions can translate shared ideals into collective action. Each exchange was a reminder that peace is a long chain that connects individuals, organizations, and governments working hand in hand to foster resilience where fragility once stood.
WPDI leaves the 2025 Paris Peace Forum inspired by the many voices striving for justice and harmony and more determined than ever to continue building bridges across borders, generations, and sectors. Together with our partners and the communities we serve, we remain committed to a future shaped by hope, resilience, and the belief that peace is a skill that can be learned, shared, and sustained.
