Tell us about the Peacebuilding Initiative and its recent ventures.
The Peacebuilding Initiative (PBI) is excited to share the launch of several new events for the upcoming year! We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, la Fabrique de la Paix, and CCDP. This partnership will be a cornerstone of our efforts to inspire peacebuilders within the Geneva community through engaging discussions with seasoned professionals. As part of our Welcome Month events, we are hosting our inaugural Youth in Peacebuilding Conference from 25-27 September. This conference is designed to connect young peacebuilders with industry professionals, helping them embark on their journeys at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities, including a relaxing picnic by the lake to foster new friendships and some of our beloved events like the Peace Café. Additionally, we will promote our podcast series during a live-recorded roundtable event discussing the Peace Negotiations of Palestine on 27 September. This conference promises to be a vibrant and creative showcase of what PBI stands for, highlighting our commitment to fostering peace and collaboration within our community.
The Peacebuilding Initiative is launching the new “Inspiring Peacemakers Series” conversation series at the Fabrique de la Paix, in partnership with the CCDP and the Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance. Tell us about it, and what it means for students to have such a unique opportunity to have in-depth conversations with peacemakers on the international scene?
The "Inspiring Peacemakers Series" represents a groundbreaking opportunity for PBI. This series embodies the core of PBI's mission: to connect and inspire youth interested in peacebuilding. In the diverse city of International Geneva, it's crucial to bridge this gap between aspiring peacebuilders and career professionals. This series provides a unique platform for young individuals to engage with and learn from those who have carved successful careers in the field they aspire to join.
As PBI's President, I've observed a remarkable eagerness from both sides: students are eager to learn and gain insights from experienced professionals, while professionals are keen to share their stories and offer guidance they wish they had received in their youth. The Series aims to harness this mutual enthusiasm, creating a space for meaningful intergenerational dialogue and knowledge transfer. By facilitating these connections and conversations, the "Inspiring Peacemakers Series" not only fulfils PBI's long-standing goals but also contributes to the broader mission of advancing intergenerational dialogue across sectors and borders in the field of peacebuilding.
What stands out to you and the Initiative members as the primary concern for young peacemakers at the Institute?
Connecting theory to practice is a fundamental focus of the Peacebuilding Initiative, as it seeks to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Through activities such as visits to international organisations in Geneva, students gain firsthand insights into how peacebuilding principles are implemented in professional settings, allowing them to contextualise theoretical concepts learned in the classroom. Events like Peace Café discussions and panel talks with experienced professionals further enhance this connection by providing students with real-world case studies and practical challenges faced in the field.
Another issue we have recognised at PBI is the need to build confidence and skill sets useful for a work environment. In that regard, The Youth in Peacebuilding Conference offers workshops and hands-on activities that develop essential skills such as conflict resolution and negotiation, while events like speed networking career fairs connect students with representatives from peacebuilding organisations, helping them practise the skills needed for networking and public speaking. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences and opportunities for skill-building, the Peacebuilding Initiative aims to empower confident young peacemakers ready to make meaningful contributions to the field.
In a world ridden with conflict, peacebuilding is more important than ever. What difference do you think young peacemakers can make in their local and global communities?
What truly inspires me is that today’s young peacemakers are tomorrow’s leaders. By getting involved now, they’re developing skills that will help shape a more peaceful future. Their actions, whether big or small, are creating ripples of positive change, and I’m excited to support them on this journey through PBI’s initiatives!
