The Engage Empower Educate Initiative convened the 2026 International Peace Summit in Abuja, bringing together peace advocates, faith leaders, youth representatives, media professionals, digital creators, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the intersection of social media, faith, civic participation and peacebuilding.
Held on September 17 and 18, 2026, in commemoration of International Peace Day, the summit was themed “The Power of the Feed: Social Media, Faith & the Future of Peace.”
The two-day gathering examined how digital platforms are influencing public discourse, civic engagement, religious tolerance and peacebuilding across Africa, while exploring practical ways individuals and institutions can use technology to counter misinformation, hate speech, polarisation and extremist narratives.
The first day opened with a welcome address by Mrs. Vivien Kwande, who spoke on “Faith, Youth, Elections and the Digital Era.” Her address set the tone for discussions on the intersection of faith, youth participation, democratic engagement and the rapidly changing digital environment. The session highlighted the importance of responsible engagement by young people and faith communities as social media becomes an increasingly influential space for information, civic participation and public debate.
The opening was followed by a keynote address, “Rwanda Never Again,” delivered by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, which examined lessons from Rwanda’s experience and the importance of peace education and collective responsibility in preventing conflict.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi and Mrs. Aisha Idi Abbas, National President of the Naval Officers Wives Association.
The summit also featured “The Power of Purpose: Building Leaders Who Create Peace, Opportunity and Change,” delivered by Theo Godson.
The first panel session, “The Power of Social Media for Peace,” explored how digital platforms can be harnessed to build bridges, counter hate speech and strengthen civic engagement across Africa.
Opening the summit, Mr. Belema Meshack-Hart, Founder of The Engage Empower Educate Initiative and Convener of the International Peace Summit, said the gathering was taking place at a time when digital platforms have significant influence over how people understand events, form opinions and interact with one another.
“The tools that connect us, our timelines, our screens, our feeds hold as much power to divide as they do to unite,” Meshack-Hart said.
He noted that algorithms increasingly influence the information people encounter and, consequently, how they engage with others.
At the same time, he said, digital spaces offer opportunities to build connections across religious, social and geographic boundaries. “Within that same digital space lies extraordinary potential: to build bridges across faith, across borders, and across difference.”
Meshack-Hart challenged participants to consider how social media could be used as an instrument for peace rather than polarisation, while examining the role of faith communities in responding to misinformation, hate speech and intolerance.
“This Summit is not merely a conversation, it is a call to action,” he said, urging participants to leave the gathering equipped to become “architects of peace” within their respective spheres of influence.
Youth delegates and Peace Ambassador nominees participated in an interactive workshop, “How to Use Social Media for Peace,” facilitated by Olutayo Laniyi. The workshop was designed to equip young participants with practical skills for using digital platforms to promote constructive dialogue and responsible communication.
The second day expanded the conversation to religious tolerance, youth participation, democratic processes and emerging technologies.
A panel session on “Religious Tolerance in the Digital Age” brought faith leaders and digital creators into conversation on using online platforms to promote interfaith dialogue, challenge religious stereotypes and counter extremist narratives.
Another session, “Youth, Elections & Digital Responsibility,” examined the role of young people and digital platforms in safeguarding democratic processes from social media-fuelled incitement.
The summit also featured “AI, Algorithms & the Future of Peace Communication,” which explored the implications of artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems for public communication and peacebuilding.
A fireside chat on “Faith, Media & Nation-Building” further examined the relationship between faith, media and social cohesion.
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, delivered a keynote address titled “The Fifth Domain: Digital Media as a Strategic Partner in Sustaining Peace.”
The summit also featured “Advancing Youth, Peace and Security in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges,” presented by the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation.
A Peace Talk with Presidential Aspirant Suleiman Dikwa of the NNPP formed part of the summit’s broader conversations around civic participation, democratic processes and peace.
The second day also featured “AI and Peace Communication,” a hands-on training session for youth delegates and Peace Ambassador nominees. The workshop focused on the responsible use of AI tools to create and translate peace-positive content, as well as practical approaches to identifying AI-generated misinformation.
The session reflected the summit’s broader emphasis on digital literacy and responsible technology use as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into communication and information ecosystems.
The summit concluded with the Social Media for Social Good Awards, recognising individuals, organisations and digital communities across Africa and the diaspora for contributions to peace, countering misinformation and promoting social good. The awards provided a platform to recognise efforts to use digital communication for constructive social impact.
The International Peace Summit 2026 brought together diverse voices around a central question: How can the tools shaping today’s information environment be used more responsibly to strengthen peace?
Across the two days, discussions connected faith, youth, elections, journalism, social media, artificial intelligence and civic responsibility, highlighting the role individuals and institutions play in shaping public conversations.
For the organisers, the summit was intended not simply as a forum for discussion but as a platform for practical engagement and action.
As Meshack-Hart stated in his opening remarks: “How do we harness social media as an instrument of peace rather than polarization? What role does faith play in anchoring communities against the tide of misinformation and hate? And how do we, as leaders, journalists, faith actors, technologists, and citizens, take responsibility for the feed we create and consume?”
Those questions formed the foundation of the two-day summit and point to the broader challenge of building more peaceful and responsible digital communities across Africa.
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