This week: two stories of peace in action from Zambia and Ghana, a short reflection on what makes trust dependable, and the women who keep Africa’s border trade moving.
ZAMBIA · DAY OF PEACE
Peace is built in families, schools and communities
On 1 October, UPF-Zambia marked the UN International Day of Peace and UPF’s 21st anniversary at the Peace Embassy in Lusaka, with Ambassadors for Peace, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, young people and students.
Joseph Kambele, president of the Make Zambia Great Movement, described peace as schools without fear, dignity in families and communities where disagreement does not become enmity. Participants asked that young people join future UN and UPF programmes as co-creators, not only as audience.
“If you are not at peace, you can’t share what you don’t have.”
GHANA · YOUTH FORUM
Emerging leaders link peace and enterprise
On 21 September, UPF-Ghana and VODEC Africa hosted the National Emerging Leader Economic Forum (NELEF 2026) at the University of Professional Studies, Accra. About 1,000 people attended in person and another 1,000 joined online.
Youth fireside chats on integrity, security and inclusive growth led to policy pitches from political leaders. The day closed with the Idea Challenge awards for young entrepreneurs and the appointment of seven new Ambassadors for Peace.
REFLECTION
Can trust be built without follow-through?
Can trust begin with a declaration? A public commitment can give people a shared direction and make responsibility visible. Yet the more demanding question is what follows.
A smaller promise kept may offer firmer ground than an ambitious commitment left without clear responsibility.
Consider one commitment in your own setting: who will help carry it forward, and how will those affected continue to be heard?
The question builds on Dr. Tageldin Hamad’s October reflection for UPF International.
FROM OUR MEDIUM
African women keep border trade moving. Why are borders still so hard on them?
Women carry food, clothes and household goods across African borders every day, yet many still face delays, harassment and unofficial fees.
67% of informal cross-border traders in the Cameroon–Gabon–Equatorial Guinea border area are women, according to a UN Economic Commission for Africa study.
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Next week on our channels
Mon 2 Nov — Peace Starts With What People Can Rely On
Tue 3 Nov — What Turns Peaceful Words Into Trust?
Wed 4 Nov — Remembering the Human Cost of Conflict
Sat 7 Nov — Peace Is Built Across Every Scale of Life
Sun 8 Nov — Where does trust begin? Tell us in our poll
