As part of activities marking the 2025 International Day of Peace, NDLink, with support from the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), organized an Intergenerational Dialogue on September 30, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The hybrid event brought together more than 50 stakeholders and peace actors, including youth leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society representatives, women’s groups, and security agencies.

With the theme “Building Bridges Across Generations to Drive Inclusive Peace in the Niger Delta,” the dialogue fostered collaboration between young peacebuilders and experienced leaders to strengthen inclusive peacebuilding across the region.

Aligning with Global Peacebuilding Efforts

In line with the United Nations’ 2025 global call for Peace, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” the dialogue reaffirmed the Niger Delta’s commitment to peacebuilding and social inclusion. It showcased how grassroots leadership and innovation are advancing global peace goals while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event also highlighted the role of organizations like PIND in driving peacebuilding efforts through proven structures such as its Partners for Peace (P4P) Network, Prevent Councils, and the Peace Champions initiative, as well as innovations like the Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system that empowers communities to detect and prevent conflict before it escalates.

Speaking on behalf of PIND’s Peacebuilding Manager, Dr. David Udofia, Afeno Super, Senior Peacebuilding Coordinator, underscored the effectiveness of PIND’s peacebuilding structures in preventing violence, mediating conflict, and empowering local actors. He noted that since 2013, PIND has demonstrated that inclusive peacebuilding is most effective when the creativity of young people is combined with the wisdom of traditional leaders and experienced peace practitioners.

The dialogue reinforced this principle, as participants examined how intergenerational collaboration can turn conflict-prone communities into models of resilience, inclusion, and shared progress.

Highlights of the Dialogue

The dialogue was further enriched by interactive sessions, including:

• Fireside Chat – Bridging Experience and Innovation in Peacebuilding: Inspiring accounts of resilience and creativity highlighted how youth are reshaping peacebuilding and driving community transformation.
• Panel Discussion – Strengthening Community and Security Collaboration: Traditional leaders, CSOs, and the NSCDC engaged in a robust exchange on building trust and addressing emerging security challenges together.
• Innovative Showcase – PIND’s SMS-based EWER Speech-to-Text Feature: A real-time demonstration showcased how technology is revolutionizing conflict reporting, enabling early response, and amplifying grassroots solutions.

Key Outcomes

The event reaffirmed the value of intergenerational dialogue as a practical tool for inclusive peacebuilding in the Niger Delta. Notable outcomes included:

• Strengthened collaboration between youth, elders, CSOs, and security actors.
• Broader awareness of technology’s role in peacebuilding, particularly the new EWER platform feature.
• Amplified grassroots voices and success stories that challenge stereotypes about the Niger Delta.
• Renewed commitment from participants to co-create sustainable strategies that integrate innovation with experience.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Peace Through Collaboration

As the Niger Delta joins the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Day of Peace, NDLink reaffirmed its role as a regional hub for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

By amplifying grassroots voices and spotlighting stories of resilience, NDLink is committed to shaping narratives that transcend conflict, fostering peace, inclusion, and shared progress for the region.