From October 13–17, the first international Peace Connect gathering took place in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together around 550 peacebuilders from more than 90 countries. Organized by Peace Direct with the support of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the event moved away from the format of a traditional conference — instead creating a space of care, deep listening, and genuine connection.
Over the four days, participants discussed topics including peacebuilding, decolonization, and mental well-being. They also had the opportunity to develop a network of potential partners among peacebuilding, analytical, and other organizations dedicated to strengthening civil society in the context of wars and conflicts.
A highlight of the program were the "Solidarity Spaces" – open discussions where participants shared their personal experiences of resisting tyranny and building peace. "This allowed us to both share the experience of peacebuilding in Ukraine and learn about practices from other countries that are worth exploring, contextualizing, and piloting in Ukraine," noted Dmytro Fedorchak, co-coordinator of the NGO "Dialogue in Action."
For Ukraine, participation in Peace Connect was not only an exchange of experience but also a chance to have its voice heard in the global dialogue about peace. Dmytro emphasized that among the many participants from the Global South, there is often a lack of sufficient understanding of what is happening in Ukraine. The presence of Ukrainian peacebuilders at Peace Connect helped to explain the real contexts and challenges facing Ukrainian society during the war and to strengthen support for Ukraine.
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We are sincerely grateful to the Peace Direct team, Robert Bosch Stiftung and all Peace Connect participants for days filled with meaning, support, and inspiration. At a time when Ukraine continues its struggle, such meetings provide hope and faith that, through our joint efforts, we are capable of building peace – step by step.
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