The Aegis Trust, in collaboration with local authorities and partners, officially launched the Peace Ambassadors Network (PAN) at the Nyagatare Community Peace Centre on 13 June. This milestone event marked a significant step toward strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and promoting inclusive community development in Eastern Rwanda.
The Peace Ambassadors Network is an initiative under the Aegis-led ASPIRE programme – Action for Sustainable Peace, Inclusion, Rights, and Equality – which is funded by Sida. It brings together trained peace actors including teachers, parents, youth, and local leaders who have benefited from Aegis’ Peace and Values Education Programme. The aim is to unify their individual efforts into a collaborative, impactful movement for peace.
The launch in Nyagatare follows successful PAN inaugurations in Kigali and Huye Community Peace Centres, where vibrant networks of Peace Ambassadors are already engaging in coordinated peacebuilding initiatives. These earlier launches laid a strong foundation, showcasing the transformative power of collective action rooted in shared values of empathy, inclusion and dialogue.
Speaking during the Nyagatare launch, Aegis Peace Education Coordinator Lambert Kanamugire emphasized the importance of coordinated local action. “The Peace Ambassadors Network is not just a group; it is a living engine of transformation,” he said. “These ambassadors are deeply rooted in their communities, and their leadership is vital to building trust, healing divisions, and creating pathways to peaceful coexistence.”
Attended by over 100 participants, the event featured thought-provoking panels and interactive group sessions. In a powerful panel discussion on emerging community challenges, Peace Ambassadors from various backgrounds, teachers, parents, youth, and local officials shared both the struggles and the solutions they are pioneering in their communities. Experiences from Kigali and Huye were also presented, inspiring the Nyagatare cohort to build on these successes.
One of the most symbolic moments of the day was the signing of the Peace Ambassadors Network Peace Charter, a pledge of commitment to active and collaborative peacebuilding. This was followed by the establishment of local PAN committees, who will lead coordination efforts and drive collective peace initiatives throughout Nyagatare District.
With the official launch, PAN members in Nyagatare are now equipped with a clear coordination framework, action plans, and ongoing support from the Aegis Trust. Monthly mentorship sessions, resource provision, and access to Peace Centres will ensure that these local actors are not alone in their mission.
