UN International Day of Living Together in Peace

Message from the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) on the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace

16th May 2026

Theme for 2026: “Peace is Action”

Fellow Nigerians,

Today, 16th May 2026, the world commemorates the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace. On behalf of IAWPA, we salute every Nigerian who chooses dialogue over division, tolerance over hate, and unity over conflict.

This day reminds us that peace is not the absence of differences, but the presence of respect, justice, and shared purpose. Nigeria’s greatest asset is our diversity—of language, faith, culture, and history. When we live together in peace, that diversity becomes the engine of national progress.

1. Why This Day Matters for Nigeria

In the last decade, communal clashes, youth restiveness, and mistrust between communities have cost lives, destroyed livelihoods, and weakened trust in institutions. Living together in peace requires more than speeches. It requires systems that detect early warning signs, respond quickly, and educate the next generation on the value of coexistence.

2. Our Commitment: The PeaceTech Initiative

IAWPA is turning this principle into action through the PeaceTech Initiative—an 18-month pilot across 300 communities in the South West.  

How PeaceTech Works:

1. Early Reporting. Citizens report threats via SMS/USSD on any basic phone, zero-rated for Airtel subscribers.

2. Rapid Response: Offline AI servers flag hotspots and alert traditional rulers, youth leaders, and local authorities for mediation within 24 hours.

3. Grassroots Action: 6,000 youth Peace Ambassadors and 3,000 traditional leaders trained to mediate and prevent escalation.

4. Peace Education: 600 School Peace Clubs reaching 120,000 students to build a culture of tolerance early. Target Impact: Reach 900,000 Nigerians directly, reduce communal and youth-related violence by up to 40% in pilot communities, and create a replicable model for the rest of Nigeria.

3. A Call to Action for Leaders and Stakeholders

Peace cannot be built by civil society alone. IAWPA calls on:

- Political Leaders: Integrate PeaceTech data into state security and development planning.

- Traditional & Religious Leaders: Partner with us as first responders and peace custodians in your domains.

- Private Sector & Telecom Partners: Support the communications and digital inclusion layer that makes PeaceTech work in rural communities.

- Civil Society & Youth Groups: Join us as Peace Ambassadors and scale the message in schools and communities.

The cost of inaction is conflict. The return on peace is stability, investment, and a future where every Nigerian feels safe, heard, and included.

On this International Day of Living Together in Peace, let us move beyond words. Let us invest in systems that make peace practical, measurable, and lasting. Nigeria can lead Africa in proving that tradition and technology, when combined, can secure lasting peace.

The time to act is now.

Signed 

P.Amb Emmanuel Nkweke WPA 

International Spokesman 

IAWPA