African youth shaping the continent’s path to peace

In early November, as the world gathered in Nairobi for the International Conference under the theme “Cities, Communities & Care: Youth in Action for Sustaining Peace” to commemorate the United Nations’ 80th anniversary, another milestone was unfolding quietly—but powerfully—nearby. The celebration coincided with the 10th anniversary of Together for a New Africa (T4NA), a formation project that shapes young leaders from 14 African nations into active global citizens rooted in the culture of unity.

The two events moved in harmony. While the Summer School invited young people to look inward—to learn, to reassess, to envision—the Nairobi Event encouraged them to look outward—to connect, to collaborate, to act, and to inspire. Through open spaces, round-table discussions, and interdisciplinary exchanges, participants explored common challenges, shared best practices, and forged partnerships aimed at transforming their communities one neighborhood, one initiative, and one act of care at a time.

By: Castor Mfugale (T4NA coordination, Tanzania)

A Growing Network of Young Peace Actors

Over the past three years, young leaders across the continent have met online and in person, united by shared realities and a common sense of mission. Their collective action has already reached more than 6,000 young people. Speaking during the Summer School, Programme Coordinator Melchior Nsavyimana observed that this momentum is “a sign of what T4NA is becoming—a sign of our contribution to peace”.

Participants recognized that the Nairobi gathering was not an ending but the beginning of a lasting, cross-border network—one that grows beyond programmes, funding cycles, or conferences. It is a network of young Africans who refuse to accept that conflict and violence must define their continent, and who are determined to build a future shaped by unity, justice, and shared responsibility.

The Call for Ideas: Youth Solutions for Sustainable Peace

A central feature of the closing event was the International Contest: Call for Ideas, launched under the theme “For Sustainable Peace in Africa: Our Contribution”. Its purpose was clear: to offer young Africans a platform where lived experience and local realities could take the form of concrete, actionable solutions.

Drawing from the reflections of the Summer School, Content Manager Castor Mfugale emphasized that peace is deeply connected to the conditions that shape people’s lives. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, weak governance, and forced migration fuel instability. For peace to take root, he noted, solutions must be local, collaborative, and youth-led—because young people represent the majority of Africa’s population and carry the capacity to transform their societies from within.

Entries arrived from across the continent, addressing themes ranging from civic education and community mediation to land restoration, environmental care, youth employment, and the healing of communities. Although only a few projects were selected for presentation, evaluators stressed that the decision in no way diminished the value of the other proposals. Many demonstrated depth, originality, and a maturity that reflects the strength of the T4NA movement. Behind each submission was a profound question: What is my responsibility for peace in my community?

Youth Projects Leading the Way

Among the selected projects were initiatives that illustrate the creativity and determination of African youth. In Nigeria, EcoPeace Youth Corps is restoring degraded land, creating green jobs, and showing that healing the environment can also heal communities. In Benin, Jeunes Leaders pour la Paix is transforming schools into laboratories of civic responsibility and peaceful coexistence. In Angola, Kuatisa a malehe fosters entrepreneurship, psychosocial resilience, and non-violent conflict resolution, giving young people the tools to shape their own future. In Kenya, youth-led initiatives highlight the importance of dialogue, civic education, and environmental stewardship in strengthening social cohesion—echoing the UN’s global appeal for youth-driven peace efforts in cities.

Each project, in its own context, demonstrates that when young people are entrusted with responsibility and supported with the right tools, they become powerful agents of transformation.

Why This Matters: A New Approach to Peacebuilding

Throughout the week’s events, one insight continually resurfaced: peace begins with care—care for creation, for communities, and for one another. T4NA’s approach places young people at the heart of transformation, recognizing that sustainable peace grows when individuals feel responsible not only for themselves, but also for the well-being of others.

The Call for Ideas bridges three essential dimensions of the T4NA journey: reflection during the Summer School, innovation through the contest, and concrete action in community implementation. It affirms the belief that youth are not spectators of change, but protagonists of a new era of leadership in Africa.

Toward a New Africa

Together for a New Africa is demonstrating that leadership grounded in unity, responsibility, and care can reshape societies. It can heal wounded communities, strengthen cities, amplify local voices, and build peace that lasts. As Castor reminded the participants, “You are the heart and soul of this journey. Now it is time to make it concrete—time to operationalize it.”

A new Africa is not merely an aspiration. It is already emerging—through the hands, minds, and hearts of its youth.