In partnership with
“Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be constructed” (UNESCO Constitution)
May 22, 2024 – Yesterday, we were honored that UNESCO extended an invite to our very own Youth Peacemaker and activist, Khadjia Mayman, who works in the Cape Flats for WPDI South Africa, to participate in a special UNESCO Campus on “Women for Peace”, with a focus on Africa. This is the second UNESCO Campus event she has been invited to participate in this year.
The virtual event, held in the context of Africa Week at UNESCO, hosted 3 speakers, including Khadija Mayman, WPDI’s Youth Peacemaker and Conflict Resolution Expert, Loubna Benhayoun, Director of the Stabilization and Recovery Section of MINUSMA (the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) and Kongosi Mussanzi, Co-founder of the Conflict Resolution Center in DRC.
The debate was also enriched by the contributions of three schools who joined as panelists: the Ebedei Secondary School in Ebedei Delta State, Nigeria, the Arakan Girls Secondary School in Lusaka, Zambia, and the Belbies Governmental Language School in Sharkia, Egypt. Moreover, 10 schools connected from the United Kingdom, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Greece, and France joined the session as attendees. Over 120 students participated in total.
The aim of this latest UNESCO Campus was to inspire youth from Africa to promote peace on various levels—internationally, within communities, and individually. By showcasing the efforts of three women who work daily to build peace, the event was also designed to encourage young girls (and others) to believe in this cause and recognize the significant role women play in peacebuilding and peacekeeping.
Khadija discussed how we can build peace at a local level, building on years of experience working with WPDI in the Cape Flats in South Africa, where we have been running a number of peacebuilding and community initiatives focused on youths, including Conflict Resolution Education, Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports and Trauma Healing. Khadija has witnessed firsthand the transformative potential of this approach. She said, “We’re always told to focus on academic education and it’s true, but learning peace is just as important as academic education!”
The event was an opportunity to show young people in Africa that small efforts can encourage a ripple effect, spreading peace and harmony through communities and ensuring sustainable peace. “Even small acts of peace matter – don’t limit yourself, even if you think you don’t have time or means to do something for peace, you can make a difference just by starting a conversation about peace.”
UNESCO Campus events are significant for youths and Africa as a whole as they serve as dynamic platforms for education, empowerment, and engagement. These events open the door to young people around the world and give them the opportunity to access the knowledge and skills necessary to address contemporary challenges, fostering a generation of informed and proactive leaders.
For Africa, where the youth population is rapidly growing, these initiatives are crucial in harnessing the potential of young minds to drive sustainable development, peace, and prosperity. By participating in UNESCO Campus events, youths are not only inspired to become change-makers in their communities but are also equipped with the tools to contribute to global peace and progress. This investment in the youth is essential for building a more resilient and equitable future for the continent and beyond. We are very proud that WPDI is so well represented at these events.