Nairobi 2025

CITIES COMMUNITIES, CARE.

YOUTH IN ACTION FOR SUSTAINING PEACE

Nairobi, November 10-12 2025

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A three-day international event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, exploring how cities and communities can foster global peace, with a strong emphasis on youth leadership.

Why This Event Matters

In a world facing a sequence of global crises, cities in rapid urbanization are both agents of innovation and breeding grounds for inequality and conflict. They are complex ecosystems where major issues are concentrated.

The event aims to redefine urban living by advocating sustainable development, social cohesion, and shared responsibility in governance.

While the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals seem distant, the event asks for new urban strategies that prioritize and regenerate the quality of social and political relationships, where cities are deeply connected to their territories and integrate community values.

📄 Click here to discover the detailed program with sessions & speakers

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An International Network for Peace

Nairobi is a hub for UN agencies like UN Habitat, UN Environment Programme, and Unesco. It is a relevant location in the global scenario.

The conference follows a path already undertaken by a network of organizations and promotes a large-scale dissemination of innovative perspectives and experiences. It intends to offer a platform for reflection and action, where social and political actors can converge as global citizens and leaders of peace.

Promoted by New Humanity NGO/Focolare Movement, which has UN General Consultative Status, the event welcomes mayors, city administrators, peace workers, politicians, diplomats, religious leaders, citizens, civil associations, scholars, and researchers.

To amplify its impact, the event will feature live-streamed connections with five “testimonial cities” from around the world, in order to share innovative political actions and their results.

Youth at the Forefront

Young people played a leading role in setting up the programme and will also be at the forefront during the event, bringing their vision and skills to drive environmental and social change. Around 200 young leaders are expected, primarily from Kenya and neighboring countries.

Notably, representatives from the “Together for a New Africa” national groups will also join the programme to conclude their three-year leadership training. In response to a “call for ideas”, youth groups based in 14 African capitals will present five community-oriented projects aimed at sowing peace in their own countries.

Key point: Felipe Paullier, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Youth, is set to deliver a video-message.

A visit to the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi is foreseen for a representative delegation of participants.

Key Objectives

Cities as Catalysts for Change: Explore the strategic role of cities in driving social and political transformation by facilitating the exchange of experiences and policies.
Community Values Integration into Urban Planning: Reinforce community and value-based models in urban development plans by sustaining inclusive citizenship, social cohesion and peace.
Youth Leadership: Empower young people’s ability to lead transformative actions by promoting their participation in decision-making at local, national and international level.
The UN System in front of today’s challenges: Support the United Nations’ work by strengthening to a new vision of the international architecture that is suited to today’s challenges.

Event Format

A participatory methodology will engage both in-person and online attendees. Young people will lead the sessions, with interdisciplinary readings, dialogue sessions, workshops, and networking activities.