In December of 2022 Justice Desk Africa was invited to speak at the 18th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
During the summit, CEO Jessica Dewhurst presented a workshop on Justice Desk Africa and our work, as well as our concept of Everyday Activism, which focuses on empowering everyday people to become human rights defenders and changemakers.
In attendance were activists, students, humanitarians, and lawyers from across the globe, with whom Jessica was able to engage in a hands-on manner and take on a journey through understanding the importance of grassroots activism and how the everyday person is vital towards its success.
Jessica was also asked to facilitate the workshop of Dr Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian social reformer and children’s rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. It was a fantastic workshop where Dr Satyarthi focused on the power of the youth and the collective wealth that young people have to change the world. Dr Satyarthi has always been an inspiration to our entire team at Justice Desk Africa, and so it was an incredible honour to be a part of this.
Our Mbokodo girls were also able to speak at the Summit and present on the work of the Mbokodo Project. They spoke on the project’s impact in their communities and its ability to change the world. They were also able to attend various panel discussions and workshops and learn more from the Nobel Laureates and their organisations on how they can be incredible leaders in their communities.
The girls also had the opportunity to engage with the Laureates, including Dr Kailash Satyarthi and Leymah Gbowee, whom they were able to speak with about their work at the conclusion of the summit. Both Dr Kailash Satyarthi and Leymah Gbowee mentioned how incredible the work of Justice Desk Africa is and how young people should use the Mbokodo girls as a source of inspiration for the work that they are doing. The girls also spent time with Joy Ngoma, an inspirational humanitarian who represented the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Tutu & Leah Legacy Foundation. Meeting a fellow young South African making a difference was a truly impactful moment!
We’d like to thank the Permanent Secretariat, the Nobel Summit and the Laureates for engaging with Justice Desk Africa and our Mbokodo girls. We look forward to next year's summit!