UN@80 Conference in Kenya Concludes with a Pledge to Champion Peace, Justice, and Human Dignity

They call on other stakeholders to share in the responsibility of realizing a united continent, inspired by the African philosophy of interconnectedness.

“In our shared dream of a peaceful and thriving Africa, we invite young people, citizens, and institutions to envision a borderless Africa that promotes unity, prosperity, and a shared identity across the continent,” they state.

The charter outlines key priority areas such as youth empowerment and involvement in decision-making, peacebuilding and conflict resolution rooted in a culture of unity, community engagement, and intercultural dialogue.

It also highlights youth inclusion in education, innovation, and economic empowerment, as well as sustainable and inclusive urban development, described as “cities with heart and soul.”

According to the young people, cities should promote social, cultural, and economic equality, ensuring youths are not excluded from shaping urban futures. They say that this could be achieved by creating environments where young people can gather, express themselves, and shape civic life through art, sports, and volunteering.

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The T4NA members call for programs that promote inclusion and social cohesion through the arts, music, sports, and traditional dialogue practices, describing these as vital components of peacebuilding.

They also advocate for capacity-building through civic education and leadership training to strengthen young leaders’ roles in local and international institutions and the creation of spaces for active youth inclusion in governance, community planning, and peacebuilding.

According to the youth leaders, this vision could be realized by “creating permanent mechanisms for collaboration at local and national levels, ensuring that young leaders and citizens are involved in decision-making and policy development in the service of their communities.”

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.