Young peacebuilders from around the world to gather in Helsinki to deepen their expertise

Finland and South Africa launched their joint mentoring programme for young mediators in Pretoria, South Africa, in July 2025. Fifteen young people from across the world are participating in the one-year programme to deepen their expertise in mediation. This week, they are meeting in Helsinki for the fourth, and final, in-person phase of the programme.

 

The one-year programme aims to deepen these young people’s knowledge of mediation-related themes, provide opportunities for networking with peers and key mediation actors and build their ability to act as peacebuilders in their own communities. The programme comprises four in-person periods and supplementary virtual meetings.

The mentoring programme brings together 15 young people aged 18–29 who have been selected for their active involvement in peacebuilding in their home countries. The group includes young people from Egypt, South Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Nigeria, Qatar, Finland, Türkiye and Ukraine. Interpeace, the International Organisation for Peacebuilding, acts as the secretariat to the programme.

In Helsinki, participants will learn about Finland’s mediation activities

The final period taking place in Helsinki this week will focus on Finland’s mediation policy and practical mediation. Participants will be introduced to Finland's mediation activities, water diplomacy, the EU's role in mediation and the practices of gender-sensitive and inclusive mediation, among other themes.

During the week, the young people will meet Finnish and international mediation experts and civil society actors. They will also have a meeting with President of the Republic Alexander Stubb. The week culminates in a mediation simulation where participants can put into practice the skills and knowledge they have acquired during the programme.

The mentoring programme brings young people and key mediation actors together

The first in-person period took place in Pretoria, South Africa, in July 2025. Participants learned about South Africa's experiences of the transition from apartheid to democracy and the importance of reconciliation and inclusive peace-building.

During the second in-person period in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, in November 2025, participants were introduced to the role of the African Union in conflict prevention, crisis management and peacebuilding. They also gained an understanding of the significance of regional organisations in fostering peace.

The third in-person period in Geneva in May 2026 focused on the work of the United Nations on peace and security and the significance of multilateral cooperation in conflict prevention and resolution.

In addition to meeting in person, these young people have attended virtual sessions over the year. They have explored themes such as digital mediation, transitional justice in peace processes, the role of international non-governmental organisations and the Women, Peace and Security agenda as part of a mediation process.

The mentoring programme for young mediators is part of the implementation of the letter of intent on cooperation in mediation between Finland and South Africa. The letter of intent was signed in April 2023 during the state visit of the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö to South Africa.