Choosing Peace Through Culture, Dialogue and Youth-Led Reconciliation in Africa

As part of the 13th edition of Geneva Peace Week, convened by the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and UNDP from 12 to 15 October 2026, and under the thematic track “Social Cohesion, Justice & Human Rights – Transitional Justice and Dealing with the Past,” this 90-minute online workshop, “Choosing Peace Through Culture, Dialogue and Youth-Led Reconciliation in Africa,” will explore how culture, the arts and youth-led creative approaches can contribute to transitional justice, reconciliation and social cohesion across Africa.

 Led by the Youth Organisation for Research and Justice Advocacy (YORJA) and co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Inclusive Peace and the African Union Commission, the workshop will bring together policymakers, practitioners, youth and women representatives, and cultural and creative actors. 

The session will examine how storytelling, music, theatre, visual arts and cultural practices can complement formal transitional justice and reconciliation processes by facilitating healing, preserving collective memory, fostering dialogue and strengthening social cohesion. It will also explore the intersections between transitional justice and the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas. 

Through an interactive and dialogue-based format, participants will share experiences and good practices from across Africa and reflect on how institutional and community-based actors can better leverage culture and creativity to promote inclusive, locally grounded and sustainable peace.