The University for Peace was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1980 (Resolution 35/55) with the mission to provide higher education, training, and research opportunities in peace and conflict studies. While its headquarters are in Costa Rica, the university has extended its reach globally, with a significant presence in Africa through the UPEACE Africa Programme.

The UPEACE Africa Programme was launched in response to the pressing need for context-specific peace education, governance training, and development strategies tailored to Africa’s socio-political realities. It aims to contribute to the continent’s aspirations for peace, security, and human development, aligning with frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Silencing the Guns Initiative.

The programme is guided by a commitment to strengthening Africa’s peace and governance architecture through:

1. Higher Education and Training – Offering specialized postgraduate degrees, certificate courses, and training workshops in peace studies, conflict resolution, international law, governance, leadership, and development.

2. Capacity Building – Enhancing the skills of policymakers, civil society actors, and professionals in conflict-prone and post-conflict settings to improve peacebuilding and governance efforts.

3. Research and Knowledge Production – Conducting policy-oriented research, publishing scholarly work, and facilitating knowledge exchange on pressing issues such as conflict transformation, humanitarian action, and security governance in Africa.

4. Partnerships and Collaborations – Working with African governments, regional bodies (e.g., African Union), civil society organizations, universities, and international agencies to co-develop solutions to Africa’s challenges.

5. Youth and Women’s Empowerment – Promoting the inclusion of young leaders and women in peace processes, governance structures, and development initiatives to ensure sustainable and equitable outcomes.