Photo/Amb. Eugene Kavune Nzabonimba addressing the delegates.
The Mountain Journal
Global Union for Peace and Development (GUPD) founder and Chief Executive Officer Amb. Eugene Kavune Nzabonimba has called for a united national effort to promote peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development, saying lasting stability can only be achieved through dialogue, responsible leadership and inclusive partnerships.
Speaking on Friday during a peace planning meeting held at Ofafa Jericho in Nairobi’s Makadara Constituency, Amb. Nzabonimba urged leaders from across the country to work together in preparing for a major national peace conference that will bring together key stakeholders to chart Kenya’s path towards unity and development.
Addressing religious leaders, government representatives, development partners, civil society organisations, the business community, youth and women leaders, as well as delegates from all 47 counties, the peace advocate said the planning meeting marked the beginning of a collective journey to build a more peaceful and prosperous nation.
He said peace should never be taken for granted, noting that it is achieved through justice, mutual respect, active citizen participation and accountable leadership.
Photo/Some of the delegates who attended the meeting. Photos/Courtesy
“This planning meeting demonstrates our shared commitment to creating a peaceful, secure and prosperous society where every person is respected, every community has a voice and every generation has the opportunity to thrive,” he said.
Nzabonimba said the planned conference set for September seeks to unite leaders from government, religious institutions, academia, civil society, humanitarian organisations, development partners, the private sector, youth groups and community organisations around a common national agenda.
He said the conference planning process would focus on developing a clear vision, defining objectives, identifying strategic partners, mobilising resources, assigning responsibilities and agreeing on an implementation roadmap.
The conference will address key national priorities including peacebuilding, national unity, good governance, constitutionalism, human rights, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, economic growth, environmental sustainability, education, healthcare, digital innovation, food security and community resilience.
He also stressed the need for dialogue across political, ethnic and religious divides, saying unity remains one of Kenya’s greatest strengths.
The ambassador commended government institutions for promoting national cohesion and acknowledged the role played by security agencies in maintaining law and order.
He also praised religious leaders for championing reconciliation and moral values, while thanking development partners and humanitarian organisations for supporting sustainable development initiatives across the country.
Turning to the youth, Nzabonimba challenged them to become ambassadors of peace and innovation, saying their leadership and creativity would shape Kenya’s future.
He equally recognised the contribution of women to families, communities and national development, describing their leadership as indispensable in building an inclusive society.
The GUPD founder further urged members of the organising committee to uphold transparency, accountability and professionalism throughout the preparations, saying the success of the conference would not be measured by attendance alone but by the partnerships forged, resolutions adopted and positive impact achieved in communities.
“Our success will not be measured simply by the number of delegates who attend. It will be measured by the lasting partnerships we establish, the practical resolutions we adopt and the positive impact we create in our communities,” he said, as he disclosed that they had invited among others, international and national leaders.
Calling on all participants to embrace shared responsibility, Nzabonimba said the country has an opportunity to strengthen peace, unite communities, empower future generations and build a stronger Kenya.
GUPD is an organisation that promotes peacebuilding, leadership development, human rights advocacy and sustainable development through partnerships involving governments, civil society, religious institutions, development agencies and local communities. Amb. Nzabonimba has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue, strengthening social cohesion and encouraging collaborative solutions to national and regional development challenges. His organisation continues to advocate for inclusive leadership, citizen participation and cross-sector cooperation as key pillars for achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in Kenya and beyond.
