Every year on 21 September, the world pauses to mark the International Day of Peace — a day the United Nations set aside to strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples. This year, Crossworld Foundation marked the day with the community of Embakasi West Constituency.
The event brought together youth, women, elders, local leaders and representatives from community-based organizations. What began as a formal commemoration quickly became something more — a shared space where neighbours spoke honestly about the divisions, tensions and misunderstandings that quietly live between them.
Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is the presence of understanding, of dignity, of belonging — and it is something we have to build together, every single day.
— Crossworld Foundation peacebuilding teamThe programme for the day blended commemoration with conversation. Youth leaders from local schools and community groups led interfaith and intercultural dialogue sessions. Women's groups shared stories about the role of mothers and caregivers in shaping peaceful homes. Elders reflected on changes in the community across generations — and on what has stayed constant: the need for trust.
Turning commemoration into action
The event was not only about reflection. It was also about organising. By the close of the day, participants agreed on a small but concrete set of actions — including setting up a youth peace committee in the constituency, establishing regular community dialogue circles, and connecting local schools with the Foundation's ongoing peacebuilding and counter-terrorism awareness programmes.
The Embakasi West celebration is part of a broader effort by Crossworld Foundation to strengthen community resilience to conflict and violent extremism. Peacebuilding is not an event — it is a practice. It happens in schools, in places of worship, in markets, on football pitches and around kitchen tables.
As participants left that afternoon, the mood was not just hopeful — it was determined. The work continues long after the speeches end.
