In a city that stands at the crossroads of East and West, where tradition meets modernity, I had the honor of representing the Tonafa Institute — and, more broadly, Africa — at the First Global Forum of Young Religious and Peace Leaders.
This forum, organized by the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, was held alongside the renowned Congress of World Religions, a triennial gathering that has made Astana a global hub for interreligious dialogue since 2003.
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A Young Voice Among the Elders
Invited to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony, I sought to bring forth the voice of a youth that is both engaged and clear-eyed in the face of a turbulent world:
“From Sudan to Somalia, from the Middle East to invisible pockets of conflict, young people are often the first victims of instability. But they are also an opportunity, a force, a hope. Peace can no longer wait. It must be built here and now.”
I emphasized that tolerance is not an option but a vital condition for our coexistence. Through religion, tradition, and now digital technology, young people must be equipped to become active agents of reconciliation.
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A Strong Symbol: The First African Youth Representative
At this forum, I was the only African representative. This recognition marks a turning point — it was the first time the Congress had invited a young leader from the African continent, opening the door for future talents from Africa to take part.
It sends a powerful message: peace is universal, and Africa has a crucial voice in shaping it.
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Digital for Peace: A Priority for 2025
Among the discussions with religious and institutional leaders, one concern deeply resonated with me: the role of artificial intelligence and digital technology in building peace.
The proliferation of fake news, misinformation, and online hate speech is seriously undermining social cohesion. In 2025, it is essential to mobilize youth to transform social media into tools for peace, dialogue, and sustainable development.
I advocated for stronger support to youth-led digital peace initiatives. The time has come to imagine digital coalitions for peace, where spirituality, innovation, and technology converge for a more harmonious world.
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Encountering Kazakh History and Culture
My stay in Astana also gave me the opportunity to explore powerful symbols of Kazakh identity: the majestic Nur Astana Mosque, the Baiterek Tower, and an official luncheon with the President of the Senate and religious representatives from the Vatican and beyond.
These moments of cultural exchange and mutual discovery remind us that peace is also a matter of humanity, curiosity, and mutual respect.
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Toward a 2025 Peace Agenda for the Tonafa Institute
This forum marks a milestone. For 2025, the Tonafa Institute aims to build on this international visibility to:
• Strengthen its peace education programs in Benin and West Africa;
• Launch a pan-African interfaith dialogue initiative led by youth;
• Develop digital tools for peace, including learning platforms, anti-hate campaigns, and hybrid dialogue forums.
As the great Beninese author Jean Pliya once wrote in The Rope Weavers:
“It is with the end of the old rope that one weaves the new one.”
This is a heartfelt call to our elders, religious leaders, and international partners: let us weave this new rope of peace together — with the youth leading the way.
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Astana 2024 was not a destination. It was a beginning — a milestone on our shared journey toward a more just, inclusive, and peaceful world.
— Emmanuel Ganse
President, Tonafa Institute
UN SDG Young Leader
