“The current failure of leadership is not gender neutral”
On 15 October 2024, Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, first woman President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address during Geneva Peace Week at the Maison de la Paix, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Reflecting on Kofi Annan’s legacy and the current global leadership crisis in peace efforts, she called for greater respect for humanitarian law and advocated for gender parity in leadership, emphasising the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding.
Following President Robinson’s Address, Junseo, a student from the International School of Geneva, performed a Bach Prelude on the Cello. The musical performance transitioned into the panel discussion, which featured exceptional young peacebuilders exploring innovative strategies for fostering sustainable peace.
Opening Remarks
“As crises multiply, we are in dire need of courageous and ethical leadership,” said moderator Ahmad Fawzi, one of Kofi Annan’s former spokespersons and Communication Advisor, in his opening words at the Kofi Annan Geneva Peace Address.
“We need to be planning for peace, not war,” said Achim Wennmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Professor of Practice in the Interdisciplinary Programme and Nagulendran Chair in Peace Mediation at the Graduate Insitute, during his opening remarks.
In her opening remarks, Marie Barbey-Chappuis, Member of the Executive Council of the City of Geneva, admitted that “talking about peace in these troubled times is not an easy task.” but that “…there is one thing the current state of the world is showing us: there has never been such a need for new perspectives on peace.”
Rising Peacebuilders
Following the Address, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Member of The Elders, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute (IPI) and Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, joined Mary Robinson for a panel discussion entitled “Rising Peacebuilders” with three young rising peacebuilders.
The pair exchanged with three young peacebuilders, Arizza Nocum (Philippines), Extremely Together Young Leader and President of KRIS, Nashiba Nakabira (Uganda), African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace and Head of Programs for Sisters for Peace, and Maruee Pahuj, Creative Leadership team with the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation.
When asked what advice they had for young leaders, both Mary Robinson and Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein encouraged them to be open to learning and attentive to others. Mary Robinson said, “Listen and bring people with you.” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein added, “You can compromise on delivery and lexicon…but the message has to be crystal clear. It cannot be compromised, but you can package it in a way that speaks to people.”
©️ Olivier Chamard Photography
Closing Remarks
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute (IPI) and Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Member of The Elders, closed the event.
About the Organisers
The Kofi Annan Geneva Peace Address is organised by the Kofi Annan Foundation, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, Geneva Graduate Institute, Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation and the International School of Geneva, with the support of the Republic and State of Geneva and the Ville de Genève.
