On 18th of April 2023, the University of Nairobi, Institute for Development Studies in association with African Peacebuilding Network of Social Science Research Council, New York and African Leadership Centre, Nairobi and Wilton Park held a town hall discussion themed, ‘Youth, protest, and peacebuilding: conversation and negotiation with the state in Africa.’ at the University of Nairobi towers 4th floor, Main Campus.

The one-day town hall discussion had a total of 4 panellists, Aya Chebbi, Founder & Director Nala Feminist Collection, Victor Ochen, Founder & Executive Director, African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET), Namatai Kwekweza, Executive Director, WELEAD Trust and Mahder Serekberhan, Board member, Africa Initiative and Moderator, Shuvai Nyoni, Executive Director, African Leadership Centre.

Prof. Karuti Kanyiga, Director, Institute for Development, gave the welcoming remarks to the audience and panellists, encouraging and explaining the importance of such forums as they aid in providing problem solving ideas, “There is no better time to talk about the youth in Africa than today. Across the continent, the youth have led protest movements that have asked for reform and restructuring of the post-colonial state in a way that makes sense for the African reality.”

The town hall discussion was a foreground for young voices and explored the dynamics between African youth and the state regarding peacebuilding, protest, and their role in shaping the future. It elaborated the need to explore the linkage between peace and well-being. With questions such as, what lessons can be drawn from the youth led protests as conversation with the state of Africa was among some of the topics of discussion between the panellists and audience.

Ms. Mahder, PhD student, Syracuse University, held her discussion in relation to the theme, on peace, its linkage to wellbeing and the effect that it has on the African youth/ population at large. “Factors that make you unable to be at peace are often socio-economic problems such as; unemployment, corruption, high cost of living among others. Governments/ institutions can take steps to bring radical change.”

As the discussions progressed the panelists engaged with the audience to hear their take on the topics discussed and give them an opportunity to share their views. One of the ways in which this was done was through asking the following question, ‘Do you think there’s value in integrating the ideas of peace/wellbeing from the perspective of African youth as a basis for engaging the state in Africa?.’

The town hall discussion concluded with a Q’nA session between the audience and a conclusion from each panellist on their presentation and views in relation to the theme. One of the panellist, Prof. Funmi Oloniadakin emphasised that, “Integrative view of youth wellbeing, peace and the state of Africa shows that wellbeing and peace are not preservative of only a particular group but for all.”