Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative

"Our mission is to empower dedicated people to give them the tools to make them effective peacemakers and entrepreneurs."" - Forest Whitaker At WPDI, we are committed to fostering peace and development by creating young advocates and activists who can disseminate a culture of peace and non-violence in their communities. We are here to help them build a brighter future.

🎮✨The Games for Change (G4C) international competition empowers students to address global issues through game design, building STEAM skills like coding, digital design, and problem-solving. Submit your "Peaceformers Challenge" game now, imagining a world with fair resource sharing. WPDI is proud to partner with G4C in the framework of our Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) in the #UnitedStates🇺🇸 to amplify the impact of the 2024–2025 Challenge. Discover more👇

👉Ending gender-based violence worldwide requires passing good laws, but it also requires shaping practices and expectations, which can happen only through sustained work and a commitment to addressing root causes. 📊Today, one in three women—approximately 736 million individuals—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives (source: United Nations). Read our blog on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women below👇 #NoExcuse

✔️Two weeks ago, our CEO and Founder, Forest Whitaker, Executive Director, Caroline Descombris, and Chief of Staff, Valentine Goret, visited schools in California, #UnitedStates🇺🇸, where our Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) is being implemented. The DHP contributes to the development of youth leadership through classroom coursework as well as through school-wide initiatives, such as peer mediation and entrepreneurship, improved communications, problem solving, and interactive learning. Our US programs are supported BMO U.S. & Verizon

✨ What a night to remember! ✨ The 2024 Faces of Hope Gala in NYC was an inspiring celebration of 12 years of WPDI’s peacebuilding journey. WPDI Founder and CEO Forest Whitaker opened the evening with heartfelt remarks, setting the tone for a night filled with inspiration and unity. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the event featured a Fireside Chat between Forest and WPDI Executive Director, Caroline Descombris, where they shared powerful insights into WPDI’s mission and impact. A standout moment was our Youth Peacemakers Roundtable, showcasing the voices of young leaders driving change in their communities. The evening continued with unforgettable highlights, including a moving speech by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and a captivating performance by YG Marley. Together, we reflected on the profound impact our community is making in conflict-affected regions around the world. 🌍 A heartfelt thank you to our supporters, allies, and everyone who believes in our mission. 💙 Your dedication brings us closer to a future where youth lead the way in building peace and resilience. We invite you to explore this event through our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gWeEJQuJ

🌍💙 This #WorldChildrensDay, WPDI reaffirms its commitment to empowering children and their communities. We believe that lasting peace is essential for protecting young lives. UNICEF reports that 1.4 billion children globally missed out on basic social protections this past year. WPDI’s mission is clear: to equip youth and their communities with skills that foster peace, resilience, and open doors to new opportunities. Together, we’re building a safer, brighter future for every child.

🌟The 9th Karamoja Cultural Event lit up Karenga District, #Uganda🇺🇬 this September, celebrating "Cultural Diversity, Peaceful Coexistence, and Embracing Tourism for Sustainable Development." From September 2-7, the festival brought together thousands from Uganda’s Karamoja region and neighboring countries, uniting communities through culture, dialogue, and collaboration! Highlighting the event, WPDI proudly supported Peace Engagement Day, facilitating dialogues with youth, women, elders, and leaders, emphasizing our commitment to sustainable peace and resilience. Together, we continue to build bridges and celebrate the spirit of unity! Discover more👇 With Svenska Postkodlotteriets Stiftelse (The Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation)  #postkodeffekten #projectforchange

🕊️ On this #InternationalDayofTolerance, we at WPDI reaffirm our commitment to kindness, respect, and empathy—values that transform diversity into strength and pave the way to peace. By embracing differences, fostering understanding, and promoting open dialogue, we’re building stronger, more united communities. 🌍 Today, hear from WPDI staff from around the world share how they’re actively promoting tolerance and unity within their communities, showing that our differences are a powerful source of connection, not division. 🌟

🌟 WPDI Chiapas, #Mexico🇲🇽, has taken a big step towards building peace in local communities! Since June 2024, 160 young people from different municipalities have applied to join our network. After a rigorous interview process in July and August, we’ve selected 42 inspiring youths from 11 municipalities. 🙌 ✔️In September, they began their journey with intensive training in San Cristobal de las Casas, where they are learning about Learning Communities, Popular Education, and Positive Conflict Resolution. These future Peace Builders will soon bring positive change to communities facing conflict and violence. 💪🌍 Find out more below👇 With the Inter-American Foundation

✔️In partnership with NBA Africa, our Peace Through Sports initiative recently hosted a series of basketball clinics and tournaments, in the Cape Flats, #SouthAfrica🇿🇦, uniting local youth through the power of sport.🏀 The event gave young people the chance to play basketball, while also learning values of peace, tolerance, and collaboration! Discover more below👇 With Fondation BNP Paribas & RCS Group