Nairobi, Kenya – In a world plagued by ongoing conflicts and the recent rebranding of the US Department of Defense to the Department of War, it is more important than ever for local peacebuilders to come together and build solidarity to resist militarism. To address this need, Peace Direct, an international NGO dedicated to supporting local people in building lasting peace, will be hosting a global gathering in Nairobi from October 13th to 17th, 2025.
Known as Peace Connect, this event will bring together hundreds of local peacebuilders from around the world for a week of meaningful connection, creativity, and collective action. With representatives from countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan in attendance, the timing of this gathering is crucial. As governments globally continue to cut overseas funding and conflicts escalate, it is vital for local peacebuilders to share their expertise and build cross-border solidarity.
According to Dylan Mathews, CEO of Peace Direct, “The multiple crises facing the world right now, including 120 active armed conflicts, demand an urgent and creative response. This is what Peace Connect aims to do, bringing together some of the most pioneering, brave frontline activists and their allies to share experiences and build solidarity. The world needs more peacebuilders, and we hope that Peace Connect will help catalyze new ideas and movements for peace.”
Lina María Jaramillo, Local Peacebuilding Expert in Colombia and member of the Peace Connect Advisory Group, added, “It is paradoxical and tragic that just when the world needs more acts of solidarity to counteract the suffering of war, a cloak of doubt has been raised over the importance of humanitarian assistance and cooperation. Today, we must connect our ideas of peace and solidarity with action if we are to sustain humanity amid this pain, death, and fear. For peacebuilding to remain possible, we must reconfigure the system and strengthen our collective action. That’s why Peace Connect matters in this moment.”
It is expected that around 500 peacebuilders and allies will attend, including global leaders in peacebuilding and representatives from Peace Direct’s local partners in 15 countries, including Afghanistan, DRC, Sudan, Syria, and Colombia. Networks like CIVICUS, MCLD, ICAN, UNOY, and Peace Starts Here will also be sharing the stage.
Shaped by local peacebuilders, Peace Connect aims to disrupt the pattern of international events that often exclude local voices and serve the interests of global North power holders. The gathering offers space for peacebuilders to focus on topics that truly matter to them, with sessions covering practical peacebuilding approaches, integrating indigenous wisdom, making decolonization a reality, climate-responsive peacebuilding, and more. Along with discussions and workshops, there will also be art, poetry, and space to prioritize well-being and reflection.
For Diana Ishaqat, Advisory Group member and Peace Starts Here campaign co-creator from Jordan, Peace Connect is vital amid the current funding crisis. She stated, “It can be isolating to believe in peace. In my context, peace is a word associated with giving up on rights, with painful compromise, loss of indigenous rights, and Western interference. It’s important that peace is made local, localized, and that it speaks to local peacebuilders; those who are often the first to point out the signs of brewing conflicts and their many manifestations in everyday life.”
Those available for comment and op-eds on this topic include Dylan Mathews, CEO of Peace Direct; Diana Ishaqat, Peace Starts Here campaign co-creator and Advisory Group member; Lina María Jaramillo Rojas, Local Peacebuilding Expert in Colombia and Advisory Group member; and Vahe Mirikian, Managing Director of Peace Direct US.
Founded in the UK, Peace Direct is an international NGO that supports local peacebuilders in stopping violence and building sustainable peace. They provide funding, training, and other resources to help these peacebuilders do the work they deem most relevant in their contexts. Currently, Peace Direct supports local peacebuilding efforts in 15 countries. While the organization has been convening local peacebuilders for almost 20 years, Peace Connect marks the first global gathering of peacebuilders that they have organized.
In an effort to ensure that the voices of local peacebuilders are not excluded from mainstream narratives about conflict resolution and peace outcomes, Peace Direct is offering press passes to journalists for the event. These passes will cover the total cost of the ticket and provide full access to the gathering. Additionally, Peace Direct is reserving at least two press passes for local journalists in Kenya. To access a press pass and/or images to accompany coverage of Peace Connect or Peace Direct, please contact Grace Rowley or Jennifer Venis at the email addresses listed above.
Peace Connect has two hosting partners: IPHRD-Africa, a non-profit organization focused on promoting a human rights approach to governance and peacebuilding for sustainable development in Africa, and The New Humanitarian, an
