On 26 January 2026, UNESCO Headquarters hosted a Special Youth Segment in the framework of the 9th commemoration of World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture, under the theme “Cultural Heritage, Progress and Harmony: Engaging African Youth to Strengthen World Peace.” Organized by UNESCO’s Sector for Priority Africa and External Relations, in collaboration with the Permanent Delegation of Togo to UNESCO, the session amplified African and Afro-descendant youth voices on the role of culture in advancing peace.

The one-hour hybrid session unfolded in two parts. The first brought together young African and Afro-descendant leaders—Rania Abbas, Child Rights Awareness Officer and Global Youth Ambassador; Aurielle Jioya, Filmmaker and Actress; Pherton Casimir, SDG 4 Youth & Student Network Representative; Elosha Kapata, Singer-Songwriter; and Souleymane Diallo, President of the Sciences Po Students’ Association for Africa—to highlight youth-driven pathways to peace through culture.

Special Youth Segment participants

The second part opened an intercultural dialogue with young leaders across continents, including Arya Manandhar, Founder of Greentech for Women; Anna Järviluoma, Journalist and Media Educator; Amadou Diallo, Former President of the Sciences Po Students’ Association for Africa; and Julie Ojiambo, Co-Convener of the 2025 Oxford Africa Conference, who shared experiences and best practices on promoting peace and harmony across cultural contexts.

From film to music, from media and education to student-led intellectual spaces and women’s leadership, the session underscored how African and Afro-descendant youth are mobilizing culture as a strategic tool for peace and harmony. Moderated by Nonso Obikili (UNESCO), the dialogue powerfully affirmed young people as custodians of heritage, drivers of creativity, and agents of change, advancing UNESCO’s work across culture, education, science, and communication, and building momentum toward the Biennale of Luanda – Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace.