Global Society Delegation Visits Kenya

Global Society Delegation Visits Kenya | Photo: Amani Nation

Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya | August 2026

Between 9 and 17 August 2026, a delegation of global civil society leaders participated in a series of meetings, dialogues and community engagements in Kenya. The visit advanced the next stage of regional cooperation and examined how the emerging Global Society frameworks could be applied within local settings.

The visit built on a gathering held in Tarifa, Spain, in January 2026, where civil society leaders from various regions worked to reinforce common foundations for cooperation across an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented global civil society. The programme in Kenya created an opportunity to continue this work in an African context through dialogue, relationship-building and direct interaction with communities.

Purpose and context

The engagements in Kenya reflected a broader understanding that global cooperation increasingly relies on stronger relationships among people and initiatives operating across diverse regions and local environments. Rather than treating the visit solely as a formal institutional programme, the delegation aimed to connect with a wide range of actors active within Kenyan society.

Civil society leaders, women, young people, educators and community initiatives all took part in the programme, enabling the delegation to consider how global perspectives could complement existing local efforts. Particular attention was given to creating spaces for ongoing dialogue and cooperation, while also learning directly from initiatives already supporting leadership, education and community development in Kenya.

Dialogue with African civil society

A key element of the visit was the inaugural Africa Global Society Dialogue, hosted by the US–Kenya Alumni Association at American Spaces Nairobi. The event brought together civil society representatives and other stakeholders to examine the changing environment in which African civil society works and identify possibilities for closer regional and global cooperation.

The gathering created a platform for African perspectives to contribute directly to the wider global discussion. Conversations explored the value of trust, collaboration, leadership and knowledge-sharing, while acknowledging that models of global cooperation must remain responsive to the particular realities of different regions and communities.

The dialogue was an important step in carrying forward the work initiated in Tarifa, expanding participation to additional leaders and considering how common principles could be put into practice within regional settings.

Creating Global Society Hubs in Kenya

One of the tangible results of the visit was the creation of two Global Society Hubs in Kenya, located in Nairobi and Kisumu. The Nairobi Hub offers a platform for continued interaction among civil society actors, young people, professionals and other stakeholders interested in linking local communities around the world.

The Kisumu Hub broadens this engagement beyond the capital by establishing a locally grounded space for dialogue, networking, knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The two hubs reflect an approach in which global cooperation grows through connected local communities instead of being directed through a single central structure.

They are designed to give people working in different sectors and environments opportunities to connect through common interests and develop practical forms of cooperation.

Community engagement and youth perspectives

The delegation’s itinerary also involved direct interaction with local communities and young people. In Nairobi, delegates visited Ann’s Maths Club, an initiative that supports young people in mathematics and STEM education. The visit allowed them to engage directly with young learners and those assisting their development, while drawing attention to the vital contribution of grassroots initiatives in creating opportunities for future generations.

The exchange also reaffirmed the place of young people in the wider Global Society conversation. With younger delegation members bringing their own perspectives to the programme, the visit encouraged intergenerational dialogue and reflection on how young people can help shape the future of global cooperation.

Power of Girls Clubs launched in Kenya

The Kenya programme also marked the official introduction of Power of Girls Clubs in the country, an initiative of Power of Women. The club established in Kisumu is a community-led initiative dedicated to girls’ leadership and development.

The delegation’s interaction with girls and local education stakeholders offered insight into how leadership development can begin within communities and how locally organized programmes can contribute to broader social transformation.

The launch also expands the Power of Girls Clubs movement into Kenya and establishes a new platform through which girls can participate in leadership, learning and community activities.

Women and community leadership

In Kisumu, the delegation was also welcomed at a Nyanza Women’s Conference. The gathering highlighted the role of women in leadership and community transformation, while creating an opportunity for grassroots women leaders to exchange ideas and experiences with their global counterparts.

For the delegation, the conference provided another illustration of how wider global discussions intersect with established forms of leadership and civic participation in local communities.

Looking ahead

The visit to Kenya represents another step in the continuing development of joint civil society engagement across borders. The establishment of local hubs, the opening of dialogue with African civil society leaders and the participation of women and young people provide a basis for sustained exchange and cooperation.

The next stage will depend on the capacity of these emerging platforms and relationships to grow organically within their individual contexts while remaining connected to the broader global conversation.

For the delegation, the Kenya experience offered a valuable chance to share local knowledge and better understand how African leadership and community-level participation can reinforce global cooperation. The visit therefore continues the process that started in Tarifa: progressing from shared global understanding to practical regional engagement, and from regional action to stronger links among people and initiatives working for the common good.