Peace Connect is a five-day gathering for local peacebuilders and their allies. Attendees from Global South countries have priority, but funders and network members from the Global North are also welcome.
Peace Connect will look and feel different to other international peacebuilding events. More like a family gathering of activists, than a conference. A space to focus on forging connections, getting creative and meaningful interaction.
Peace Connect will create an inclusive space for peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds to come together and share experiences. Through curated and open-space sessions, we will facilitate meaningful networking opportunities, helping to build a united, global community of peacebuilders.
Peace Connect will elevate local peacebuilding efforts, which are often overlooked by the international community.
By bringing together peacebuilders from conflict areas across the world, Peace Connect will create space for peacebuilders to engage in strategic conversations, explore solutions and strengthen collective efforts.
This gathering isn’t just about networking; it’s about learning.
Hear from thought leaders and local practitioners as they share insights on the most pressing challenges in peacebuilding today. Together, we will reflect on new ideas, solutions, and opportunities for collective action.
Peace Connect will bring together established networks such as UNOY, GPPAC, ICAN, and #ShiftThePower, fostering collaboration across these movements. Participate in sessions curated by these networks to tackle key themes, including funding, tech, gender, youth, peace and security.
Peacebuilding is difficult and demanding work, and peacebuilders can face mental health challenges as a result. Peace Connect will offer self-care practices, resilience-building strategies, and psychological well-being support. We will create a space where peacebuilders can rest and recharge.
The programme at Peace Connect will be developed and co-created by local peacebuilders. We are working with our Global Advisory Group to design the programme.
There will be four days of gathering and discussion – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a rest day when you will be able to take some time for yourself.
Expect community building activities, inspirational talks, masterclasses, open space sessions and country and theme-specific meetings.
We want ideas from those who plan to attend Peace Connect, and who ideally want to run the session they suggest. The deadline for your suggestions is 11 July at 23:59 BST.
We will review suggestions by 18 July and announce the selected sessions on Monday 28 July. (If your idea is selected, you will still need to buy a ticket.)
Our advisory group is made up of peacebuilders from across the Global South. They are shaping Peace Connect to be a place of comfort, support and solidarity – created by and for Global South peacebuilders.
Peace Connect will be at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. In beautiful grounds, the hotel is an oasis of calm.
Kenya became visa free in January 2024, making it possible for peacebuilders and activists from all over the world to attend with minimum bureaucracy.
Peace Connect will run from Monday 13th October to Friday 17th October, 2025.
The ticket price covers participation in the four days of programmed content. Travel and accommodation are not included. We have a limited number of tickets available so please act fast to secure your place.
There will be interpretation and translation in French, Spanish and Arabic throughout the event.
We want Peace Connect to be accessible to everyone. The true cost is over $1,000 per person, and we’re asking our funders to pay this higher rate to support others who otherwise couldn’t attend. If you can’t pay this, we don’t want this to be a barrier. That’s why we are offering the discounted rate of $350 to grassroots activists and peacebuilders.
We have allocated almost half of the tickets to Global South members of peacebuilding and other civil society networks*.
Applications for Global South-based grassroots peacebuilders with no financial support have now closed.
*CIVICUS, NEAR, ShiftThePower, MCLD, UNOY, GPPAC, ICAN, Global Alliance of Indigenous People, Gender Justice & Peace
