Co-Architects of Peace: Youth Advocacy at the 19th International Forum of NGOs at UNESCO

10.06.2026

PARIS, FRANCE — From 19 to 22 May 2026, UNESCO Headquarters hosted the 19th International Forum of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO under the theme “Advancing a Culture of Peace in Africa: From Roots to Resilience”. Promoted within the framework of Africa Week and organized by the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee in close cooperation with UNESCO’s Division for Priority Africa, the Forum served to mobilize NGOs in support of sustainable peacebuilding, equity, and community resilience across the continent.

As an active member of the Forum’s Steering Committee, New Humanity NGO contributed to the conceptualization of the event and the execution of its thematic programming.

Amplifying Youth Leadership: Co-Architects of Peace

Building directly upon the momentum and insights gained during New Humanity’s high-level civil society engagement at the Nairobi 2025 international event, the NGO focused its efforts on its core area of expertise: youth empowerment, civic participation, and multilateral dialogue.

During Day 2 of the Forum, New Humanity took the lead in coordinating and moderating the Session “Youth as Co-Architects of Peace and Stability”. Moderated by Ms. Mejía Flórez, New Humanity’s Youth Engagement and Paris Delegation representative, the session explored how Africa’s youth represent a powerful engine for education for a culture of peace, social transformation, digital storytelling, and grassroots mobilization.

To bridge the gap between high-level policy and local execution, New Humanity designed a dynamic session that featured an intersectoral bridge connecting institutional mandates with concrete field operations or direct community actions. For the NGO, the personal narratives, grassroots initiatives, and institutional collaborations highlighted represent a strong point to continue working together.

The relationships forged and the specific projects showcased during this session will serve as the foundation for ongoing advocacy within the NGO-UNESCO Youth Working Group. Moving forward, New Humanity remains firmly committed to working side by side with its international partners, empowering the next generation to act as true, resilient co-architects of peace worldwide.

Session highlights: “Youth as Co-Architects of Peace and Stability”

The session seamlessly integrated diverse voices, offering a glimpse into their strategic interventions:

  • Isabela Carrozza Joia (UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – SDSN) and Gabriele Druetta (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie – AUF): Presented a policy recommendations paper regarding the Greening Education Partnership (GEP), offering 5 key recommendations and 10 NGO case studies on how youth can be meaningfully involved in the green transition.
  • Ange Nguepi Fouezet (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – WILPF, Cameroon): Advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda through grassroots mobilization.
  • Victoria Noela Max (World Union of Catholic Teachers – WUCT, Tanzania): Storytelling as a tool for awareness, climate resilience, and celebrating cultural heritage.
  • Marguerite Bosita-Saye (International Federation of Journalists – IFJ, DRC): Using media and public health to advocate for social change and protect vulnerable communities.
  • Elisa Valentin (Make Mothers Matter – MMM): Bridging sport and inclusive education in Goma through the “Promo Jeunes Basket” project, promoted by their partner organization En Avant les Enfants.

  • Juan Camilo Poveda (New Humanity NGO): Promoting leadership and social innovation through the AFRESH and ‘Together for a New Africa’ projects.
  • Rebekah Murphy (Association Montessori Internationale – AMI): Advancing universal quality education through the ‘Corner of Hope’ in Kenya.
  • Laura Sasse (Rotary International): Connecting young leaders to turn global dialogue into sustainable Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
  • Arsène Babingwa (ATD Quart Monde): Training a generation to rewrite history with dignity through Peace Camps for children in the DRC.

Materials

The recordings of the different sessions are available here: