Our Youth AgriChampion Halima Sadiya Ahmad attended the Geneva Peace Week, between 14 to 18 October, 2024 – a leading annual forum in the international peacebuilding calendar through which organizations in Geneva and their international partners come together to share knowledge and practice on a diverse range of topics related to peace across contexts and disciplines. Together with the Kofi Annan Foundation, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and the BKMC, she co-hosted a session to emphasize the role of young people in shaping a resilient and peaceful future, linking local insights to global policy action. Read Halima’s key takeaways from the Geneva Peace Week below!
A Journey Marked by Challenges and Determination
My journey to the Geneva Peace Week was not without its challenges. Starting with the logistics and visa complications, I had to travel from my hometown to Abuja, where visa requirements posed numerous hurdles. These obstacles highlight the real struggles of grassroots leaders trying to join critical global conversations. The strict regulations, lengthy processing time, and high costs are barriers that could silence voices like mine. I was fortunate to have a support network, but many others do not, making it difficult for grassroots representatives to be included.
Despite these hurdles, the opportunity to attend Geneva Peace Week reaffirmed the importance of local voices at global tables. I am grateful to the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (BKMC) for supporting me as their AgriChampion representative, allowing me to bring the perspective of frontline workers directly to this platform.
Key Takeaways: Peace as the Foundation for Progress
The event centered around peace, food security, environmental degradation, and the intersectionality of these global challenges. Throughout the week, I had the privilege to attend panel discussions featuring high-profile dignitaries such as Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland and Chair of The Elders, as well as Executive Directors from the WFP, Secretary of IFAD, and representatives from FAO.
One particular session stood out – Hunger, Conflict, and Peace: A Global Perspective. During this event, I connected with experts from WFP, IFAD, and several NGOs, all deeply interested in my work on the resilience of smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria. The region, home to over 70% of Nigeria’s arable land, is facing desertification, conflict, and severe food insecurity, making our work to build resilience more critical than ever.
My panel discussion further emphasized the intersection of conflict and environmental degradation, and how building resilience in agriculture can directly contribute to peace. Listening to my co-panelists, I realized the power of diverse perspectives, but also the glaring need for action.
Powerful Connections: Bridging the Local with the Global
Through various networking events, such as the breakfast briefing hosted by the Kofi Annan Foundation, I engaged with a range of high-level stakeholders, including representatives from CARE, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Scaling Up Nutrition initiative. The conversations were deeply inspiring, as global leaders expressed genuine interest in the challenges and work happening at the grassroots level. Their enthusiasm for collaboration reaffirms the importance of connecting local action with global advocacy.
Notably: We need to Localize Localization!
 The most striking aspect of these exchanges was the universal acknowledgment that peace is the foundation for all progress. Whether it’s food security, environmental sustainability, or conflict resolution, peace is at the core of any long-lasting solution. This truth resonated throughout all the discussions.
A Question That Lingers: WHY THE INERTIA?
Yet, despite the wealth of ideas, the depth of expertise, and the number of discussions, one question posed by my co-panelist remains etched in my mind:
WHY THE INERTIA?
WHY ARE WE STILL STUCK?
THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED. THE STAKEHOLDERS HAVE SPOKEN. EXPERTS HAVE SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE. YET, WHY ARE WE STILL HERE, FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES?
This is the question that reverberated in the room and still echoes in my mind. We have engaged in countless discussions, shared stories, and outlined solutions – yet, the world remains at a standstill in many areas. We are facing increasing food insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where environmental degradation and conflict threaten the livelihoods of millions.
Moving Forward: From Discourse to Action
My reflections from this experience underscore one key message: it is time for action. The global discussions must now transition into tangible efforts that reach the grassroots, the very frontline where these challenges are felt the most. As someone who is both a smallholder farmer and a community leader, I stand on the ground where these issues converge.
The partnerships I’ve begun building with high-level stakeholders and institutions like the WFP and IFAD will allow me to amplify grassroots voices, ensuring that local realities shape global solutions. Our region, degraded yet full of potential, must be included in these global efforts to address food insecurity, environmental degradation, and conflict.
Conclusion: The Right Choice for Impact
Representing the Ban Ki-moon Centre at Geneva Peace Week has been an honor, and I believe the work I did directly aligns with the Centre’s mission. By being on the ground and working with smallholder farmers, I bring the reality of these challenges to global forums. It is not just about discussing the issues; it’s about being a part of the solution. I believe the Ban Ki-moon Centre made the right choice in selecting me to attend this event, as my work directly reflects the realities faced by communities in Northern Nigeria. As a smallholder farmer myself, I not only advocate for resilience but live through the challenges posed by conflict, environmental degradation, and food insecurity. I come from a region that is the hotspot of these events, a region with the highest rates of food insecurity, malnutrition, and environmental degradation. It is also the region where I am striving to build resilience, particularly among smallholder farmers. With over 70% of Nigeria’s arable land located in this region, it is crucial that we address these issues to ensure national and regional food security, and I’m deeply grateful for the Ban Ki-moon Centre’s support in amplifying these efforts on a global scale
The connections I’ve made, the knowledge I’ve gained, and the opportunities to collaborate will help me continue building resilience in Northern Nigeria’s agricultural communities. The sponsorship and platform provided by the BKMC enabled me to bring forth not just my voice but the voices of countless farmers striving for a better future.
Together, with sustained effort and collaboration, we can break the inertia. We can turn discussions into actions that create lasting change for those who need it the most.
Halima Sadiya Ahmad
Youth AgriChampion, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
