Dialogue for Peace:The Great Debate Challenge

Changemaker: Rilwanu Aisha Musa

Country of implementation: Nigeria

Dialogue for Peace: The Great Debate Challenge is an education driven initiative that gives young people a voice while promoting peace and understanding in their schools and communities. Founded in 2024 by Global Shaper and historian Aisha Rilwanu Musa, the first edition of the project brought together more than 80 students and 20 teachers from secondary schools across Kaduna State. Through debates and peace focused discussions, students sharpened their communication and leadership skills, while their schools established peace and learning clubs that continue to thrive today.

The first edition was strongly aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing learning beyond the classroom, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by equipping students with peaceful conflict resolution skills, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration with teachers and school authorities to sustain the clubs. Teachers observed that participating students became more outspoken, collaborative, and respectful, showing that dialogue can change behavior as well as knowledge.

In 2025, the new cycle will scale up the impact, directly engaging 100 students and 20 teachers from different schools. Each school will establish or strengthen its peace and education club, ensuring that the lessons learned ripple beyond the debate hall into everyday school life.

At its heart, Dialogue for Peace is about education as a tool for transformation. By giving young people the skills and platform to grow into changemakers, the project nurtures a generation that stands for dialogue over conflict and hope over fear.