“Peace Begins with Us”: Maryam Bukar-Hassan emphasises as Mohamed Fall welcomes her to UN House Abuja

In an inspirational engagement at the UN House in Abuja, the newly appointed United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, Maryam Bukar-Hassan, unveiled a transformative vision for peacebuilding rooted in empathy, education and cultural understanding. Her message was clear: peace is not a distant ideal, but a personal and collective responsibility that must begin with each of us.

Welcoming her to the UN House, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, emphasised the urgency of peacebuilding efforts, noting that “peace is a prerequisite for human well-being,” and without it, development, democracy and human rights cannot flourish.

He expressed concern over the resurgence of violence as a means of resolving disputes, both in Nigeria and globally, calling it a reversal of the progress made since the founding of the UN 80 years ago.

A Timely Appointment

Fall praised Bukar-Hassan’s appointment as “timely and important,” highlighting her potential to reach communities and youth in ways traditional diplomacy cannot. “You are the voice of young people, the voice of female leadership,” he said, underscoring her role in shaping the future of peace advocacy.

He also acknowledged the broader scope of her responsibilities, which will extend beyond Nigeria to global engagements. Despite the international nature of her role, Fall assured her of the UN’s unwavering support, stating, “This office has not got any other role than promoting the values and principles of the founding fathers of the UN.”

Nigeria’s Youth: A Beacon of Hope

While acknowledging Nigeria’s challenges, Fall also celebrated its strengths, particularly its vibrant youth population. He cited their leadership in innovation, arts and technology as evidence of the country’s immense potential. “Nigeria leads the way,” he said, urging Bukar-Hassan to amplify the voices of young Nigerians and harness their energy for peacebuilding.

“Nigeria being the giant of the continent, if Nigeria fails, the whole continent fails. But if Nigeria succeeds, the whole world succeeds,” Fall declared, placing the country’s fate at the heart of global peace efforts.

Peace as the Foundation of Progress

Bukar-Hassan emphasised that without peace, efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain futile. “You cannot have zero poverty if peace and justice are not stable,” she said, underscoring the centrality of SDG 16 to all other development goals. She called for a shift away from superficial narratives that frame conflict through religious or ethnic divides, urging a deeper exploration of dignity erosion and humanity-first approaches.

Localising Peace Through Culture and Language

Her strategy includes localising peace efforts by integrating indigenous languages, folklore and cultural context. “We must go beyond English,” she said, “and reach the grassroots through stories that shaped our communities.” This approach aims to make peacebuilding relatable and sustainable, especially in regions where cultural identity plays a pivotal role in social dynamics.

Empowering Youth Through Education and Recognition

The Global Advocate for Peace disclosed that the cornerstone of her plan was embedding peace education in public schools. She outlined several initiatives:

Peace Circles and Clubs designed to foster dialogue and empathy among students, tailored to local cultural contexts; Peace Prize for Public Speaking to honour students who champion peace through speech and action; and Children’s Book on Peace, developed in collaboration with UN Peacekeeping and UN DPPA, the book will be launched in Nigeria and translated for global use.

“We must catch them young,” Bukar-Hassan said. “Teaching children the basics of peace will make it a part of their identity and they will carry it into adulthood and their communities.”

Harnessing the Power of Storytelling

Bukar-Hassan passionately advocated for storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation. She recounted a moment when a thoughtful comment on a divisive social media thread diffused tension and sparked empathy. “Stories are the foundation of belief,” she said. “Before we believed in prophets or places, we heard stories. That is how faith and identity are built.”

To amplify this, she plans to launch a podcast titled What Makes You Human, featuring personal narratives that inspire reflection and unity.

Grassroots Empathy and Cultural Exchange

She also shared the success of a pilot programme that brought together 556 young storytellers from across Nigeria for a cultural exchange and conflict resolution workshop. Participants co-created poems based on shared experiences and performed them publicly, breaking stereotypes and building empathy.

“When you hear someone’s story, you begin to see them as human,” she said. “That empathy is what breaks the cycle of conflict.”

Global Engagement Ahead

Looking beyond Nigeria, Bukar-Hassan revealed plans to visit global conflict zones including Gaza and Sudan in the coming year. These missions will be part of her broader mandate to humanise conflict victims and advocate for peace through dialogue rather than arms.

The engagement with the UN Resident Coordinator concluded with a call to action: to use spoken words and poetry to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, address humanitarian needs and promote human rights, all of which, Fall reminded, hinge on one essential condition: peace.

“We must acknowledge our past, honour our words and pave the way forward. Peace begins with us,” she added.

Maryam Bukar-Hassan’s appointment brings hope that her leadership will inspire a new generation to rise, speak out and build a more harmonious world.