Peace advocates, diplomats, youth leaders and civil society figures from at least 20 countries came together on Monday for a three-hour online summit marking the 45th International Day of Peace, under this year’s United Nations theme: “Invest in Peace — For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The summit, hosted by Target Peace and moderated by its founder, Amy Banda, drew participation from peace ambassadors, community leaders and officials across Africa, Europe and beyond, in partnership with Mankis Digital Hub and the Peace Bus Association. Organizers said 45 peace ambassadors were mobilized for the event.
A keynote call for peace as diplomacy
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Marquis Anthony C. Coleiro, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to Malta, who framed his remarks around dialogue, diplomacy and shared responsibility.
“Peace is local before it becomes global,” Coleiro said, arguing that national peace depends on investment in education, opportunity, social inclusion, governance and institutional trust — and that peace and development should be treated as reinforcing goals rather than competing ones.
He described diplomacy as fundamentally about communication rather than confrontation, and said young people should be seen not merely as future beneficiaries of peace but as its “present architects.” He closed by urging that peace be “practiced every day,” not only commemorated once a year.
Investing in young people
Anthony Nwana M., a communications and peacebuilding advocate with the Youth Empowerment Foundation in Cameroon’s North-West Region, spoke on the theme of youth resilience and opportunity. He said insecurity in the region has disrupted far more than physical safety — affecting education, livelihoods and young people’s aspirations.
“Peace is not only the absence of violence; peace is also the presence of opportunity,” Nwana said, calling for greater investment in education, skills training, entrepreneurship and youth leadership. He also urged young people to communicate responsibly online, warning that social media can as easily spread misinformation as it can connect communities.
A message for Africa’s entrepreneurs
Lassané Oularé, Vice President of the TAKAD International Organizing Committee and CEO of CMEDIA Holdings, told participants that peace “is not just an ideal — it is a behavior,” reflected in speech, conduct, work and thought. He called on Africans to preserve unity from the household to the workplace.
Oularé also used the platform to promote the African Start-Up Challenge, a pan-African competition for entrepreneurs and content creators. He said the competition will culminate in a final in Libreville, Gabon, on December 19, with a top prize of 20 million CFA francs.
Closing the summit
In closing remarks, Esther Omam Njomo, President of Outreach Cameroon and a global peace ambassador, told participants that peace “is a daily choice, made in our homes, our communities, our places of work.” She urged attendees to carry the conversation beyond the platform into practical action.
Amy Banda thanked participants and speakers, and announced that Target Peace’s next online conversation will take place in 20 days, timed to the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11. That event’s theme, she said, will be “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights,” with organizers calling for action against child marriage and increased investment in girls’ education and protection.
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