Creators of Peace, a women’s initiative, marked its 35th anniversary with a gathering at Maanzoni Lodge, Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 to 17 October 2026. Dr Judith Orogun (Robo), one of the initiative’s founding mothers, took part with the support of friends of the Creators of Peace network in Canada. This is her report.
October 2026 saw a remarkable group of people, gathered at Maanzoni Lodge in Nairobi, Kenya, to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Creators of Peace – A Women’s Initiative. About 150 participants from 40 countries participated with hearts, minds, life experiences and stories to inspire.
October 14th was the official opening of the gathering. The event featured a thoughtful welcome from Jean Brown, the President of Creators of Peace International, who was instrumental in developing the Peace Circle methodology which now empowers women to be catalysts for change. A hearty welcome was also delivered by the Initiatives of Change, Kenya and Creators of Peace, Kenya, supported by a vibrant Kenyan cultural group with such energy it was enough to last the three days.
Highlights of the opening ceremony included a video message from Mama Anna Msekwa of Tanzania, the woman whose vision gave birth to this initiative in 1991, and a keynote address delivered by Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary General, also one of the “founding mothers” who hosted the very first conference in Caux, Switzerland.
Following the keynote address, a fireside chat brought together three of the “founding mothers” of Creators of Peace: Amina Dikedi-Ajakaiye, Ahunna Eziakonwa, and Judith Robo Orogun. Expertly moderated by Elizabeth Laskar, Vice President of Creators of Peace UK, and Cleo from South Africa, the conversation reflected on the origins and evolution of the initiative, its relevance in today’s social and economic landscape, and the important role of young people, particularly Generation Z, in creating, sustaining, and advancing peace in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
The gathering was thoughtfully organized around a central theme, with each day exploring a specific sub-theme that deepened participants’ understanding and engagement.
Day 1 offered a vibrant and reflective celebration of the Creators of Peace journey, while Day 2 focused on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Compassion.” Through community circles, plenary sessions, personal reflection, and storytelling, participants encountered powerful accounts of healing, resilience, and transformation.
Each day intentionally included opportunities for personal reflection, meaningful connection, and shared learning through Community Circles, Human Libraries, and guided walks in the nearby wildlife park. These experiences created space for participants to explore how compassion and conscience can emerge from personal experiences of pain and healing, and how, when thoughtfully processed, such experiences can become catalysts for positive change in individuals, families, and communities.
Through reflection, dialogue, and collective learning, participants examined the powerful relationship between compassion, human connection, and healing. The stories shared demonstrated how compassion can inspire personal growth and lead to meaningful change, often transforming not only individual lives but entire communities.
Day 3 explored the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Conscience,” inviting participants to reflect on the role of conscience in creating a more peaceful, compassionate, and just world. The program featured two panel discussions. The first brought together Miranda Shaw of Creators of Peace UK, David Faber of the Global Indigenous Dialogue (GID) and Initiatives of Change Canada, and Rajiv Sinha from the UK.
Drawing from their personal journeys, the panelists shared how listening to and acting on their conscience has shaped their lives, influenced their decisions, and inspired their work. Their stories highlighted the transformative impact of conscience, both in the organizations they have established and supported and in their broader contributions to civil society and community-building within their respective countries.
The second section of the plenary included Irene Namwano from Uganda, Gloria Rutto a probation officer from Kenya and Martha Wanjiku a recently released inmate from a female prison where Gloria works.
Irene’s life was transformed by her experience of incarceration in Uganda, where she witnessed firsthand the pain of separation between imprisoned mothers, their children, and their families. Following her release, she founded an organization dedicated to supporting the children of incarcerated mothers. Through counselling services, facilitated family visits, educational support, and other initiatives, the organization helps maintain vital family connections and provides stability for children. By supporting these children and their mothers, Irene’s work not only brings hope and peace to families but also helps reduce the risk of children becoming involved in crime. While much has already been achieved, significant opportunities remain to expand this important work and its impact.
Gloria first experienced a Peace Circle herself, finding renewed hope as she reconciled with her father after nearly 30 years of family estrangement. Inspired by this transformation, she invited the team to facilitate Peace Circles in the prison where she worked. More than 100 women participated, leading to a more humane prison environment and better preparation for life after incarceration.
Martha was one of the women in that prison, who was recently released after serving a five-year sentence for financial misconduct. She spent the first nine months of her incarceration with her infant child, an experience she described as extremely challenging for both of them. Through the Peace Circle process, Martha was able to take ownership of her story, reflect on her choices, and prepare for reintegration into society. Today, she is a passionate advocate for Peace Circles, speaking in churches and community groups about the challenges faced by incarcerated mothers and the importance of supporting women upon release to reduce recidivism.
A powerful theme that emerged throughout the session was the transformation of personal pain into positive change for oneself, others, and the community. The panelists spoke with remarkable honesty and vulnerability, sharing their experiences with a genuine desire to inspire and support others. Their stories resonated deeply and reflected the spirit of hope, resilience, and transformation that characterized the conference as a whole.
Day 4 focused on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Community” and featured courageous women from Mali, Indonesia, Syria, Colombia, and Kenya who have risked their safety to foster understanding and reconciliation in regions affected by conflict. Their selflessness, resilience, and deep sense of purpose inspired participants as they shared powerful lessons on embracing differences, overcoming division, and building communities grounded in care, trust, and mutual understanding. Challenging as it is, speakers confirmed it as an effective way to create communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging and safety.
The conference experience extended well beyond the formal sessions. Late afternoons offered a variety of workshops, while evenings came alive with film shows, Sherehe, a vibrant cultural celebration and opportunities to chill. Participants also enjoyed exploring and shopping at a Maasai Market and taking guided nature walks through the nearby wildlife reserve. These added rich cultural and environmental dimensions to the gathering.
One memorable moment occurred during a nature walk when a giraffe decided to trail behind a group of participants, sparking much amusement, and the giraffe’s photo was later shared in the community group, where it was humorously adopted as an honorary member.
The program was intentionally designed to create space for meaningful dialogue through Community Circles and reflective conversations. Together, participants explored the importance of listening to their inner voice, acting with integrity, and taking responsibility for their choices as essential steps toward building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating positive change in their communities.
Amid the powerful and, at times, deeply painful stories shared, a strong sense of hope and purpose prevailed. Participants left renewed and inspired, with a strengthened commitment to Peace Circles, the primary vehicle through which much of this transformative work has been achieved.
Another significant highlight of the gathering was the launch of the Creators of Peace Trainers Manual, an important new resource designed to equip and support facilitators as they expand Peace Circles to reach more women and communities around the world.
As we gathered to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Creators of Peace initiative, we reflected on our roots, honoured the women who continue to carry the vision forward, and looked ahead with hope to a future where even more women become catalysts for peace, reconciliation, and positive change in their communities.
By the close of the conference, old friendships had been rekindled, new connections had been formed, and many participants expressed a renewed sense of harmony with God, one another, and nature.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this remarkable experience and extend my sincere thanks to the friends of the Creators of Peace network in Canada, whose generosity and support made my participation possible.
Please note that sensitivity to the safety and comfort of some participants limited the photos I could share in this report. There will be more in the official Conference Report. Thanks. Robo Orogun, 3 November 2026