Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire – After an intense week of training, young political leaders and civil society actors gathered in the country’s political capital for a symbolic gala dinner, marking the closing of a major phase of the Young Peace Champions program, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Côte d’Ivoire.

Organized by the NIMD (Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy), the ambitious program focused on democratic values such as the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the fight against hate speech and misinformation. Participants also developed a Code of Conduct to promote responsible and constructive leadership during electoral processes.

The certificate ceremony, led by Matthijs van Eeuwen, Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands, recognized the collective commitment of this new generation to a peaceful, inclusive, and united Côte d’Ivoire. “These young people are not just trained; they are becoming key actors in their communities,” he said.

The journey doesn’t stop here: these young peace champions will now reach out to communities across the country to spread these values, train other youth, and strengthen social cohesion at the grassroots level.

While economic cooperation remains a priority for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it acknowledges that sustainable development cannot happen without peace and stability. “Supporting the Ivorian youth in these dialogue and capacity-building initiatives is a win-win investment for the future,” said an embassy representative.

The festive evening, filled with joy, dance, fraternity, and hope, was a powerful symbol of youth engagement toward a shared future.

Special thanks were extended to Magloire and the entire UNDP team, Salima, Cheickna, and Ollo from NIMD, and Piet from the Embassy for their flawless organization.