We recently caught up with Estelle Baroung Hughes, a peace educator and PeaceTalks speaker from 2020. She is the engine behind the Peace You Have My Word project. We are pleased to share more about this important work here:
In its fourth year, the writing competition ‘Peace you Have My Word’ continues to inspire students from Africa and the world to express their vision of Peace, writing from Africa and the world. Peace You Have My Word’ is a platform for learners to think creatively, critically and reflectively about Peace, and particularly peace on the African continent. This year, learners from Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Switzerland, Germany, the USA and more, shared visions of peace that ranged from provocative to poetic and transformative.
It is interesting to note that in 2025, the students’ peace messages were generally more critically reflective on the state of the world. The words often expressed appeals to do better. ‘We are tired, but we are still here. We keep standing. We keep hoping. But we can’t keep breaking each other,’ says Malika Siklawi from Ghana. Our youth praises consciousness and change. They call for bold measures to bring about peace. ‘Let the sounds of unity drown out the noise of conflict. Let trade, education, and peace flow freely across our borders’ says Maguette Mboup from Senegal. ‘Peace must be paramount in innovation…In pursuing this path, we select technology that brings together, heals, and safeguards the dignity of all people’ says Edwin Jonah from Ghana. Our writers also ask hard questions: Who protects the people when the State becomes the predator? (Victoria Addo from Ghana). ‘This vision of peace, backed by no actions, is it anything more than a myth?’ (Serena Kodsi, Ghana)
These texts will show how much this generation of African and international students is ready for solid and meaningful education for Peace. Let’s all open our ears to the wisdom of our learners, and follow them as they model advocacy and reflection.
It is an honour to co-amplify the powerful voices of our youth. This work is done with partners who care about education for peace: Interpeace’s Peace Talks, The International Educator TIE, The European League for Middle Level Education ELMLE, Innustame, Caux Initiatives for Change, The International School of Dakar ISD, SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College SOSHGIC, Accra, Ghana, thank you! A huge thank you also goes to the jury members (Alain Ekwoge, Trikeria Johnson, Mark Tetteh, Doline Nyagatoma, Proserpina Dhlamini-Fisher, Nancy Squicciarini, Sarah Plews, Mickaelle Pra, Sarah Noble, Preeti Rajendran).
Estelle Baroung Hughes
Founder of Peace You Have My Word
Peace You Have My Word 2025: Results and texts
| Category | Gold Medal | Silver Medal | Bronze Medal | Special mention Passion for Peace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa Unite | Africa Ofonbraa Sakyi-Addo Ghana (SOSHGIC) | Maguette Mboup Senegal (Enko Schools) | Kimberley Sossondis Ghana (SOSHGIC) | Chatowa Chibesakunda Zambia (ISL) |
| No Justice No Peace | Malika Siklawi Ghana (ARIS) | Victoria Bampoe Addo Ghana (SOSHGIC) | Serena Kodsi Ghana (ARIS) | Nathania R. Fassil Asma’u Babashehu Terab |
| Peace Starts Small | Uma Soleyman Switzerland (Ecolint) | Antonin Lejeune Senegal (ISD) | Maika Ramirez Martjarena Switzerland (Ecolint) | Tissologo Shereena Djeta Djokam Kakaping Michel Archange |
| Ancestral Intelligence is the AI of Peace | Nigeria (Start Rite) | Ghana (SOSHGIC) | Ghana (TIS) | Senegal (Enko Schools) |
