Following last month’s terrorist attack against the Westmall shopping mall in Nairobi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, yesterday visited the site to pay his respect to the numerous victims of this senseless act of violence.

Earlier in the day, he participated in a roundtable on youth in conflict and post-conflict situations, an event organised by UN-Habitat in Nairobi.
Armed conflict is one of the most critical challenges that young people are facing today. Youth are often the main victims of conflict, not only because of direct violence committed against them but also because of their unique vulnerability to military recruitment.

Young people are not only victims, however, but can – if we allow and involve them – be agents of peace, taking an active role at the frontlines of peacebuilding efforts around the globe.


“Addressing youth needs during conflict and post-conflict situations and reconstruction requires a concerted effort by all actors involved, not only to stabilize nations during transition periods but also to ensure future and sustainable peaceful development. This roundtable provided a welcome opportunity to discuss all of these issues,” said Alhendawi.