Global Society Delegation in Kenya

Global Society Delegation in Kenya | Photo: Reggie B

Published on 25 August 2026 at 02:26 GMT

By Editorial Team SDG17  - Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya

From 9 to 17 August 2026, a delegation of leaders of the global civil society undertook a series of meetings, dialogues and community engagements in Kenya, advancing the next phase of regional cooperation and exploring how the emerging frameworks of the global society can be translated into local contexts.

The visit followed a gathering held in Tarifa, Spain, in January 2026, where civil society leaders from different regions worked toward strengthening shared foundations for cooperation within an increasingly interconnected but fragmented global civil society. The Kenya visit provided an opportunity to continue this work in an African context through dialogue, relationship-building and direct engagement with communities.

Purpose and context

The Kenya engagements took place against a broader recognition that global cooperation increasingly depends on stronger relationships between people and initiatives working across different regions and local contexts. Rather than approaching the visit as a formal institutional programme alone, the delegation sought to engage with a range of actors working within Kenyan society. Civil society leaders, women, young people, educators and community initiatives formed part of the programme, allowing the delegation to explore how global perspectives can connect with existing local efforts. A particular focus was placed on creating spaces for continued dialogue and cooperation, while also experiencing initiatives already contributing to leadership, education and community development in Kenya.

Dialogue with Africa’s civil society

A central component of the visit was the Inaugural Africa Global Society Dialogue, hosted by the US–Kenya Alumni Association at American Spaces Nairobi. The dialogue brought together civil society actors and other stakeholders to consider the changing environment in which African civil society operates and to explore opportunities for stronger regional and global cooperation.

The engagement provided a platform for African perspectives to enter directly into the wider global conversation. Discussions considered the importance of trust, collaboration, leadership and knowledge exchange, while recognizing that approaches to global cooperation must remain responsive to the realities of different regions and communities. The dialogue marked an important step in continuing the work begun in Tarifa by engaging additional leaders and exploring how shared principles can take shape within regional contexts.

Establishing Global Society Hubs in Kenya

One of the practical outcomes of the visit was the establishment of two Global Society Hubs in Kenya, one in Nairobi and another in Kisumu. The Nairobi Hub provides a platform for continued engagement among civil society actors, young people, professionals and other stakeholders interested in connecting local communities worldwide. The Kisumu Hub extends this engagement beyond the capital, creating a locally rooted space for dialogue, networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration. The establishment of the two hubs reflects an approach in which global cooperation develops through locally connected communities rather than through a single central structure. The hubs are intended to provide opportunities for people working in different fields and contexts to connect around shared interests and explore practical forms of cooperation.

Community engagement and youth perspective

The delegation’s programme also included direct engagement with local communities and young people. In Nairobi, the delegation visited Ann’s Maths Club, an initiative supporting young people in mathematics and STEM learning. The visit provided an opportunity to interact directly with young learners and those supporting their development, while highlighting the importance of grassroots initiatives in creating opportunities for the next generation.

The engagement also reinforced the role of young people within the broader Global Society conversation. With young delegation members contributing a youth perspective to the delegation, the visit created space for intergenerational exchange and reflection on how young people can participate in shaping the future of global cooperation.

Power of Girls Clubs launches in Kenya

The Kenya visit also marked the official launch of Power of Girls Clubs in Kenya, a Power of Women initiative. The club launched in Kisumu is a community-based initiative focused on girls’ leadership and development. The delegation’s engagement with girls and local education stakeholders provided an opportunity to see how leadership development can begin at community level and how locally organized initiatives can contribute to wider social change. The launch also represents an expansion of the Power of Girls Clubs movement into Kenya and creates a new platform through which girls can participate in leadership, learning and community engagement.

Women and community leadership

In Kisumu, the delegation was also welcomed at a Nyanza Women’s Conference. The engagement focused attention on the role of women in leadership and community transformation and provided an opportunity for exchange between grassroots women leaders and their global counterparts. For the delegation, the conference offered another example of how broader global conversations intersect with existing forms of leadership and civic participation within local communities.

Looking ahead

The Kenya visit marks another stage in the continuing development of the joint civil society engagement across the borders. The establishment of local hubs, the opening of dialogue with African civil society leaders and the engagement of women and young people create a foundation for continued exchange and collaboration. The next phase will depend on the ability of these emerging platforms and relationships to develop organically within their respective contexts while remaining connected to a wider global conversation.

For the delegation, the Kenya experience offered an opportunity to exchange local experiences and understand how global cooperation can be strengthened through African leadership and community-level engagement. The visit therefore represents a continuation of the process that began in Tarifa: moving from shared global understanding toward practical regional engagement, and from regional engagement toward stronger connections between people and initiatives working for the public good.