Final Regional Event: Youth Culture, Sport and Dialogues along the Swahili Coast

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – “Like a tree, peace grows strongest when deep roots of wisdom support new branches of leadership.” This powerful sentiment set the stage for the final event of Kujenga Amani Pamoja, held in Dar es Salaam. 

The two-day summit marked the conclusion of three years of implementation for this multi-country initiative. Co-funded by the European Union and implemented by WeWorld and CEFA, the project operated across the coastal regions of Kenya (Kwale and Mombasa, Tanzania (Tanga and Mtwara), and Mozambique (Cabo Delgado and Nampula). 

The final event opened with a high-level protocol session featuring representatives from the European Union, the Embassy of Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan. The gathering highlighted the success of a sub-granting mechanism that directly empowered local civil society organizations (CSOs). 

One of the most powerful achievements highlighted was the sub-granting system, which had enabled grassroots groups to lead their own peace initiatives. In total, 55 youth-led projects had been implemented across the three countries, with WeWorld supporting 37 and CEFA supporting 18. These initiatives focused on governance, natural resources, and social conflict—issues at the heart of many community tensions. 

A highlight of the first day was the interactive session, "Generations in the Room," led by Fred Odera. The discussion challenged the traditional divide between elderly "gatekeepers" of wisdom and youth "peacebuilders." 

By bringing together traditional leaders and young mediators from Kwale, Tanga, and Pemba, the session demonstrated that mediation gains greater legitimacy when it blends ancestral guidance with modern, inclusive advocacy. 

Day two of the final event focused on practical pathways for strengthening peace through media, arts, and youth inclusion. The media session highlighted how storytelling can shape perceptions—either reinforcing harmful stereotypes or promoting positive narratives.  

Through presentations , as well as contributions from youth media working groups and journalists across Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, participants explored how collaborative media campaigns have helped reposition young people as active agents of peace. Discussions emphasized the responsibility of media and civil society to report sensitively on conflict while amplifying youth voices and community-driven solutions. 

The day continued with sessions on arts-based peace education and youth inclusion in governance and security. From poetry and photovoice projects in schools to policy discussions on land conflicts, gender-based violence, and youth–security relations, a common message emerged: sustainable peace requires inclusive spaces where young people can participate meaningfully.  

By combining creative expression with policy dialogue, the sessions demonstrated that empowering youth—especially young women—across community, school, and institutional levels is essential to building trust, addressing structural tensions, and fostering long-term social cohesion. 

The Kujenga Amani Pamoja final event in Dar es Salaam highlighted a powerful lesson: sustainable peace is built when generations work together. By combining the wisdom and legitimacy of elders with the energy and innovation of youth, communities can create more inclusive, trusted, and lasting solutions to conflict. While the project has officially concluded, the relationships, ideas, and momentum it generated will continue to grow—like a tree with deep roots and strong new branches—shaping the future of peacebuilding.