LocationsFrom Division to Dialogue: How Youth and Elders in Foni Are Building Peace Together
September 22, 2025
The Gambia undertook a very consultative process in developing its 2024 Conflict and Development Analysis and launching its National Action Plan for Youth Peace and Security in February 2025. The respective processes specifically targeted engagements and inter-generational dialogues to capture the views and voices of this important demographic that constitutes 77% of the population in The Gambia. “When I heard there would be a dialogue in Foni, I knew I had to be there,” says Bintou I. Camara, a young leader from Bwiam village in The Gambia. For years, she and other young people had felt voiceless in their community. Decisions were left to elders, while youth were often perceived as inexperienced or not yet ready to contribute meaningfully.
Foni, a region vulnerable to instability and conflict, has also carried a deep generational divide. The lack of spaces for dialogue and engagement between young people and elders left mistrust and exclusion lingering for years. Through the Infrastructure for Peace Programme supported by the Peacebuilding Fund, inter-generational dialogues and safe spaces to speak openly, listen and rebuild trust, have made a difference in the role that young people play in promoting peace and conflict prevention.
“We, the youth, have ideas, but we have been left out,” Bintou recalls. “During the dialogue, I realized that the tensions between generations were rooted in misunderstandings. The sessions gave us the chance to finally talk about the real issues pulling our communities apart.”
Foni, a region vulnerable to instability and conflict, has also carried a deep generational divide. The lack of spaces for dialogue and engagement between young people and elders left mistrust and exclusion lingering for years. Through the Infrastructure for Peace Programme supported by the Peacebuilding Fund, inter-generational dialogues and safe spaces to speak openly, listen and rebuild trust, have made a difference in the role that young people play in promoting peace and conflict prevention.
“We, the youth, have ideas, but we have been left out,” Bintou recalls. “During the dialogue, I realized that the tensions between generations were rooted in misunderstandings. The sessions gave us the chance to finally talk about the real issues pulling our communities apart.”
The solutions and commitments made through the frank and open engagement has been impactful in promoting activities and interventions that bridge the inter-generational divide. Young people and elders within the village began working together, jointly contributing to ceremonial and traditional activities, organizing weekly cleaning exercises, and forming women’s groups that brought together both young and elderly women. Even intergenerational football matches were held, building not just fitness, but also unity through sports.
Most importantly, the dialogues paved the way for youth participation in leadership.
“We have started advocating for seats for youth in the Village Development Committee,” Bintou explains. “Now we are part of the conversations that shape our future.”
Her leadership has not gone unnoticed. “I trust that young woman to bring people together and lead the community in the right direction.” said one elder during one of the focus group discussions.
“I feel empowered and confident. The intergenerational dialogues have earned us the trust of elders, allowing us to actively contribute to decision-making processes in our village.”
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The Strengthening Infrastructure for Peace to Promote Social Cohesion in The Gambia is a two-year programme led by UNDP and implemented jointly with UNESCO and ITC through the support of the Peacebuilding Fund. The overarching goal of the programme is to build capacities for the national peace architecture by strengthening institutions; inter and intra community relations; preventing and mitigating hate speech; and promoting economic and social inclusion.
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