PeaceJam South Africa Youth Leadership Programme
Empowering young leaders to build a more just and peaceful South Africa
PeaceJam South Africa is a youth leadership and peacebuilding programme that inspires young people to become compassionate changemakers in their schools, communities, and the world. As the South African affiliate of the global PeaceJam Foundation, we connect youth directly to the wisdom and lived experiences of 14 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who serve as mentors for our movement — including our own beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
We believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow. They are the leaders we need today.
Our Mission
Building the next generation of Nobel Peace Laureates
Our mission is to cultivate young leaders who can transform conflict, strengthen community, and drive positive change. Through experiential learning, dialogue circles, and youth‑led service projects, we help young people develop the courage, empathy, and critical thinking needed to address the challenges facing their communities.
PeaceJam South Africa works across schools, community organisations, and youth networks to create spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and empowered to lead.
Our Award‑Winning Curriculum
Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. Designed for real‑world impact.
PeaceJam’s internationally recognised curriculum uses the stories, strategies, and peacebuilding journeys of Nobel Peace Laureates to teach youth how ordinary people can create extraordinary change.
Young leaders engage with themes such as:
- Identity, belonging, and personal leadership
- Conflict transformation and restorative dialogue
- Power, privilege, and social justice
- Community building and collaborative problem‑solving
- Global citizenship and ethical leadership
Each group designs and implements a youth‑led service project addressing a real need in their school or community — contributing to PeaceJam’s global One Billion Acts of Peace campaign.
The curriculum strengthens academic, civic, and social‑emotional skills while nurturing a deep sense of purpose and agency.
Why PeaceJam?
A global movement with local heart
PeaceJam Foundation has spent 30 years preparing young people to lead meaningful change. The impact speaks for itself:
- 14 Nobel Peace Laureates actively mentoring youth
- 9 Nobel Peace Prize nominations for PeaceJam’s global work
- 97% of PeaceJam youth commit to being lifelong peacemakers
- 93% believe one person can make a difference
As PeaceJam South Africa, we honour the legacy of Archbishop Tutu by empowering youth to:
- Lead with empathy and integrity
- Build bridges across divides
- Stand up for justice and inclusion
- Create sustainable change in their communities
Our Work in South Africa
Youth leadership rooted in African values and community spirit
We deliver peacebuilding programmes in schools, community centres, and youth organisations across the Western Cape. Our approach blends global peace education with Africanistic storytelling, local context, and youth‑friendly facilitation.
Young people in our programme:
- Develop leadership skills through experiential workshops
- Engage in courageous conversations about identity and justice
- Build supportive peer networks
- Design and implement community impact projects
- Participate in annual PeaceJam Youth Conferences with Laureates
Every young person who joins PeaceJam South Africa becomes part of a growing movement of youth leaders committed to building a more peaceful, united, and hopeful future.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a school, educator, youth organisation, parent, or young leader — there is a place for you in PeaceJam South Africa.
Together, we can grow the next generation of peacemakers.