On 17 September,ahead of the International Day of Peace, observed annually on 21 September, the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) convened an Intergenerational Peace Circle in Addis Ababa under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event brought together diplomats, academics, youth leaders and civil society representatives for an open exchange across generations around three thematic areas: inclusion and representation in peace processes; climate, peace and security; and technology and innovation.
The discussion featured Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAU; Ms. Rascha Osman, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland; Ms. Kalkidan Tesfaye, Founder of Cyber Allies; Mr. Gizachew Habtemariam of the Ethiopian Youth Council; and Ms. Gloria Kabage, AU Senior Programme Officer. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Emmaculate Liaga of ISS.
Opening the discussion on inclusion and representation, SRSG Onanga-Anyanga underscored that exclusion remains a root cause of conflict and instability. He stressed that sustainable peace requires people to feel valued, heard and represented in decisions affecting their lives, emphasizing the principle of “nothing about us without us.”
Ms. Tesfaye emphasized that inclusion must extend beyond representation to meaningful participation in decision-making. “Inclusion is not only being present in discussions, but being part of decisions,” she said. She further recalled the multidimensional nature of identity, which often impacts and shapes an individual's experience of inclusion, including being young, being a woman, or coming from a different background.
Ms. Kabage highlighted the importance of engaging young people as partners in peacebuilding from the very beginning of the process, rather than simply consulting them, calling for stronger mechanisms that enable youth to influence policy and peace processes.
On Climate, Peace and Security, Mr. Habtemariam reflected on how generations may perceive climate-related risks differently, noting that many young people increasingly view climate change as an immediate concern with implications for peace and stability.
Ms. Osman emphasized the importance of combining the innovation and energy of younger generations with the institutional experience of older generations, while highlighting the value of inclusive participation in public life. She further underscored the risk posed by mis and dis-information with regard to public trust in science.
Turning to technology and innovation, participants examined both the opportunities and risks associated with rapidly evolving digital technologies, including misinformation, online hate speech, artificial intelligence and digital governance.
During the interactive audience session, Ms. Tesfaye stressed the importance of digital literacy and inclusive technology design, noting that differences in digital literacy can deepen generational divides and leave communities vulnerable to manipulation and disinformation.
Describing technology as a “double-edged sword,” SRSG Onanga-Anyanga noted that digital innovation can help bridge development gaps while also accelerating misinformation, polarization and harmful narratives. He stressed the need for governance frameworks that promote rights, equity and social cohesion, adding that “peace is a deliberate choice that must be nurtured every day.”
Mr. Habtemariam called for stronger youth participation in technology governance and greater African leadership in shaping the future of digital platforms and artificial intelligence.
During the interactive audience session, participants discussed practical ways to strengthen youth influence in decision-making, promote responsible technology use, address misinformation, advance climate action and enable local communities to play a stronger role in peacebuilding.
The discussion concluded on a hopeful note, with participants emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum, transforming dialogue into action, and ensuring that the recommendations generated through the Peace Circle contribute to broader policy and advocacy processes.
