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In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many…
Using Local Foods to Improve Nutrition in Benin: Marius’ Story
In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development. Yet many of the food ingredients needed to improve nutrition already exist within local communities. Marius Affonfere believes local solutions can help address local challenges. A food and nutrition scientist from Benin, Marius has dedicated his work to improving the nutritional well-being of vulnerable communities. Through the LocalFood4Nutrition (LF4N) initiative,…
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In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables,…
Growing Resilience in Uganda: Irene’s Story
In rural Central Uganda, many young people are growing up on the frontlines of climate change. Longer droughts, declining soil fertility, and increasing pest invasions make it harder for families to grow food. Most households rely on staple crops such as maize and beans, often grown only during the rainy season. Vegetables, which provide essential nutrients, are often missing from family meals. The result is a cycle of food insecurity and poor nutrition that affects young people’s health, education, and future opportunities. For Irene Nagudi, these challenges are impossible to ignore. An advocate for food security, agroecology, and sustainable development,…
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In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral…
Democracy, Multilateralism and Migration
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral cooperation intersect across major global challenges. Authored by Valerio Simoni of the Instituto de Ciências Sociais at the Universidade de Lisboa, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, and the Global Migration Centre, this issue brief focuses on migration as a key site where both democracy and multilateralism are under pressure. The…
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On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion…
Youth in Tripoli use Shared Heritage to Strengthen Social Cohesion
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social crisis. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with Fight for Humanity, Permanent Peace Movement, IECD – Semeurs d’Avenir, and the Directorate General of Antiquities, launched Rooting for the Future. The project, made possible by support from…
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In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders…
Annual Report 2025
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders working on the frontlines of peace, democracy, and cooperation — from local communities to global platforms. Our Annual Report shares what that looks like in practice, including: Our work in 2025 is part of our broader effort to build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies, and it shows…
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In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often…
Young Women Writing for Justice in Sri Lanka: Nabeela’s Story
In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often absent from discussions about the social and political issues that shape their lives. Nabeela Iqbal, a Sri Lankan activist, peacebuilder, and Kofi Annan Changemaker 2023, is working to change that. Through the Write for Justice Initiative, Nabeela’s organisation, Sisterhood Initiative, trained young women to write and publish on social justice issues,…
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By Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union and Sébastien Brack, Representative of the Kofi Annan Foundation to the European Union, and a Senior Advisor to African Political Outlook Africa and Europe share a common past and, whether they like it or not, a common…
EU-AU Summit 2025: “Europe’s and Africa’s futures are not parallel; they are complementary.”
By Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union and Sébastien Brack, Representative of the Kofi Annan Foundation to the European Union, and a Senior Advisor to African Political Outlook Africa and Europe share a common past and, whether they like it or not, a common destiny. Yet as European and African leaders prepare to meet in Luanda for the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership, the distance between the two continents feels broader than the sea that separates them. Across Africa, there is a growing sense of disinterest. Brussels’ attention seems fixated on…
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On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the…
Remaking of the Global Trade Order: The Search for a New Compass
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the Athens Democracy Forum, an annual international conference that brings together global leaders, policymakers, scholars, and activists to discuss the state of democracy. The roundtable explored the upheaval in the current global trading system, seeking to understand why the old system has failed, and how a new one, centred…
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The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of…
Issue Brief | Democracy and Trade: The Search for a New Compass
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of a broader public backlash against globalization and international trade. Built on the promise to deliver prosperity for all, many of the existing trade and investment rules have also intensified inequalities and exposed countries to global shocks. Especially, the distributional effects of global trade have left many groups in…
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Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in this article,…
Democracy, Multilateralism and Security
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in this article, and find additional details in our joint news release.
