To help strengthen the national peace in Malawi, The Ministry of National Unity in partnership with UNDP Malawi are set to implement a new initiative that will help strengthen local capacities for peacebuilding and conflict prevention at the district level.  
The new project called: ‘Promoting Peace and Socio-Economic Empowerment through National Peace Architecture and Sustainable Livelihoods,’ will be implemented in Nsanje and Thyolo Districts, with support from the Government of Japan.
In her opening remarks for the presentation of the project to Nsanje District Council, The Principal Secretary for National Unity, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani Chindebvu, expressed how the project demonstrates Government’ commitment in building peace as the bedrock for Malawi’s vision 2063, which seeks to achieve an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation.
In his remarks, UNDP Resident Representative, Shigeki Komatsubara said: “This is one of the initiatives that UNDP is undertaking to scale up activities on peacebuilding and conflict prevention. We are therefore looking forward to its success, which also relies on the collaboration of district and community leaders, to help facilitate peaceful coexistence and stability”.
In attendance to the meeting were also traditional leaders, elected leaders, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, District Council officials, religious leaders, youth-based, women-based, people living with disability groups, and other interest groups in the district.
Speaking on behalf of Nsanje’s District Executive Committee, the Vice Chairperson, Mr. Honest Sande affirmed the council’s full support to the project activities.
The new project also aims to support small holder farmers improve their economic situation, through the provision of technical training and knowledge-sharing sessions.
UNDP in Malawi has been working with the Government to contribute to the national efforts to sustain peace and prevent the escalation of conflicts by creating spaces for dialogue and advocating for an enabling legal framework, that resulted in the passing of the Malawi Peace and Unity Act in 2022, which enabled the establishment of the National Peace and Unity Commission and District Peace and Unity Committees.
To learn more about UNDP’s work in Malawi, please visit https://www.undp.org/malawi