YEPW in London, UK, Holds ‘Safer Communities Project’ Civic Dialogue
A Promise of Peace Created Together by Youth and Citizens

 

 

Amid a recent rise in religious and racial conflicts and hate crimes in the UK, IPYG UK organized the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) and launched the ‘Safer Communities Project’ to encourage youth and citizens to build a culture of peace together. As part of this project, the “3rd Citizens’ Dialogue” was held both online and in person on February 21 at St. Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London. A total of 101 people attended the event.

 

 

Since launching its first Citizens’ Dialogue in October 2025, YEPW in London, UK has steadily expanded its activities. Citizens from more than 10 cities across the UK identified common issues—such as isolation, misinformation, and the lack of peace education—which have been cited as causes of hate crimes, and shared their perspectives. Participants then became active agents of peace initiatives by engaging in educational programs designed to strengthen reconciliation and dialogue skills, as well as community outreach activities.

In particular, the “3rd Citizens’ Dialogue” centered on the message that “diversity” is not a factor that divides society, but rather the foundation for building strong and healthy communities.

 

 

Dabi Jacob Dominic Beko, co-chair of the Ambassadors of Peace East Africa, and Najma Abdi, a community-based knife crime prevention activist and ward manager of the Labour Party, publicly signed the “Declaration on Leadership for a Culture of Peace.” They expressed their commitment to realizing a culture of peace in accordance with the spirit of the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War” (DPCW) and the UN’s “Resolution on Human Rights and a Culture of Peace” (A/HRC/RES/55/17).

“I believe in the power of civic dialogue like one — The Safe Community Project — that’s what has brought me here today. Peace comes when everybody who is hurt has a place at a table like this one — and can speak with us about what they think,” said Co-Chair Dabi Jacob Dominic Beko as he reflected on the significance of civic dialogue. “That habit you build within yourself makes you peaceful, and that’s when you can take peace to others.”

“The Affirmation of Culture of Peace was an honour to sign,” said Manager Nazma Abdi. “I wasn’t signing with my hand, but with my heart and my mind — to me, it was a pledge, I will work together with you for peace.”

 

 

Additionally, event participants signed the “Civic Record,” collectively expressing their intention to engage in dialogue and action for peace.

Based on the outcomes of this Civic Dialogue, YEPW in London, UK plans to further develop the youth-led “Safer Communities Project.” The action items derived from each Civic Dialogue will lead to concrete activities aimed at fostering a culture of peace within British society. Through YEPW, IPYG continues to carry out youth-led initiatives that encourage people of different generations and members of civil society to participate in addressing community issues and building peace together.