The Launch of Hesed World
Event Agenda & Featured Speakers
AGENDA
Reception and Networking | 12.00 pm - 1.00 PM
I) Reception, Networking & Youth Impact Spotlight
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Youth Impact Spotlight
Featuring innovative NGOs advancing youth empowerment:
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La Route à Bout de Bras (RBB) — Switzerland & Guinea
President: Elisabeth Zurbriggen -
Fonsa Foundation — Côte d’Ivoire
President: Sarah Adedimeji -
Keiser Initiative Association — Uganda
President: Ghislaine Keiser
Moderator: Harry Leefe: Former International Civil Servant & Humanitarian Professional
MAIN EVENT | 1.00 PM - 3.00 PM
II) Opening Video (Before Opening Remarks)
“From Vision to Impact: The Journey of Hesed World”
III) Opening Remarks
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Ambassador Yvette Stevens
Executive in Residence, GCSP; Vice President, Hesed World -
Kiki Rebecca Lawal
Founder & President, Hesed World
IV) Special Video Message
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Mr Hans T. Sy: Chairman, Executive Committee — SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Philippines
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Theme: “Investing in the Youth for a Stronger Future”
V) Keynote Address
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Dr David Chikvaidze
Vice President, Swiss Forum on International Affairs; Associate Fellow, GCSP
Former Chef de Cabinet, UNOG Director-General
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Focus:
Youth development • Ethical leadership • Intergenerational collaboration
VI) Youth Segment — “Voices of a Rising Generation”
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Youth Mini-Panel Themes:
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Mentorship access
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Dreams and lived realities
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Innovation & digital skills
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AI and future opportunities
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Launch of the Hesed Youth Engagement Community
VII) Africa Youth Mentorship Survey: Key Insights & Emerging Trends
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Major challenges faced by young people
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Cross-country comparisons
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What do youth expect from mentors
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Recommendations for future programming
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Reflection from a youth representative
VIII) Intergenerational Dialogue Panel
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Theme: Bridging Wisdom and Innovation for Sustainable Development
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Discussion Focus:
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Practical intergenerational collaboration
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Mentors shaping sustainable youth pathways
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Value-driven leadership as a development catalyst
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IX) Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable
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Participants: Government • NGOs • Private Sector • Youth
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Theme: Working Together for Transformational Impact
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Focus Areas:
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The power of collaboration
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Youth policy priorities
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Mentorship & employment pathways
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Opportunities to partner with Hesed World
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Joint programming & regional pilots
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X) Official Launch Announcements & Commitments
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Speaker: Margareta Wahlström
Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
Former President, Swedish Red Cross
President, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan
XI) Closing Reflections
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Includes:
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Key takeaways from partners
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Call to Action: “Generations United, Change Ignited”
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Reflections by:
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Kiki Rebecca Lawal, Founder & President, Hesed World
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MEET THE HOST AND CO-HOST
Kiki Rebecca Lawal - Founder & President of Hesed World
Kiki Rebecca Lawal is the Founder and President of Hesed World, an organisation dedicated to empowering young people across Africa through mentorship, capacity-building, and intergenerational collaboration. She established Hesed World with the conviction that Africa’s youth—when equipped with the right skills, networks, and support systems, can drive transformative changes in their communities and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient world. Kiki brings over two decades of experience spanning international banking, ESG, private sector engagement, and the United Nations system in Geneva, New York, and Bangkok. Her career has focused on advancing sustainable development, building strategic partnerships, and advocating for systems that strengthen resilience and opportunity for vulnerable populations. Before founding Hesed World, Kiki served as a Programme Management Officer at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), where she supported Member States—particularly least developed and landlocked developing countries—in implementing the Sendai Framework. She also led private-sector partnerships through UNDRR’s ARISE network and previously served as Head of Signatory Relations at the UNEP Finance Initiative, where she oversaw global fundraising and engagement for sustainable finance and climate-related initiatives. Kiki’s most recent work with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy’s Global Fellowship Initiative further deepened her engagement in international cooperation, peacebuilding, and leadership development. Through Hesed World, she has initiated pilot programmes in Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria; convened dialogue platforms that elevate youth voices; and built partnerships with governments, international organisations, civil society, and private sector actors committed to Africa’s demographic dividend. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that bridging generations—and regions—creates the most powerful engine for sustainable development. Kiki holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool, where she specialised in social entrepreneurship, and a BA in Business Economics from Middlesex University. She is passionate about building a new model of African leadership grounded in integrity, service, and collective responsibility.
Ambassador Yvette Stevens - Executive in Residence, GCSP | Vice President, Hesed World
Ambassador Yvette Stevens is a seasoned diplomat, engineer, and humanitarian leader with more than four decades of service in the United Nations system and the Government of Sierra Leone. Her career spans senior roles in UNHCR, OCHA, and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, as well as service as Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, where she championed human rights, gender equality, and multilateral cooperation. An engineer by training and a Geneva Gender Champion, she has been a lifelong advocate for women’s leadership and youth empowerment, establishing mentorship initiatives for young African women in diplomacy. Her extraordinary life story—chronicled in her 2024 book BREAKING OPEN BARRIERS—traces her journey from walking barefoot to school in colonial Sierra Leone to becoming one of the leading African women in the United Nations system. Her memoir highlights her trailblazing path in engineering and diplomacy, while raising five children as a single mother, breaking through cultural, gender, and institutional barriers with resilience and vision. She currently serves as Executive in Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and Vice President of Hesed World, where she continues her commitment to nurturing the next generation of African changemakers.
SPECIAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Hans T. Sy - Chairman, Executive Committee — SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Philippines
Guided by the principles of respect, integrity, and hard work, Hans T. Sy is one of the Philippines’ most respected business leaders and a steadfast advocate for youth empowerment and community resilience. Through SM Prime and the nationwide expansion of National University, he has championed accessible, high-quality education and created opportunities that uplift young people and their families. A quiet believer in empowering emerging leaders, Mr. Sy has also been an early supporter of Hesed World’s mission—helping lay the foundation that made this inaugural launch possible. His message to us reflects his lifelong commitment: he looks forward to seeing the initiative “grow and thrive—empowering one student, one dream, and one life at a time.”
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Dr David Chikvaidze - Vice President, Swiss Forum on International Affairs; Associate Fellow, GCSP
Former Chef de Cabinet, UNOG Director-General
Dr David Chikvaidze has nearly four decades of experience in the foreign service and international civil service, specializing in the challenges of multilateralism, great power relationships, Eurasian geopolitics, and global security. As Chief of Staff to five Directors General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), he provided strategic advice and back-channel diplomacy. Fluent in four languages, he has negotiated and mediated on complex issues across diverse cultural contexts, participating in key talks on humanitarian aid and security in North Korea, Western Sahara, the Balkans and Central Asia. Chikvaidze’s career includes significant contributions to institution-building, such as establishing the prototype of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and modernizing the UN Library in Geneva. Currently vice president of the Swiss Forum for International Affairs, Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), Associate Fellow of the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), Associate Director at Strategia Worldwide, Dr. Chikvaidze is a member of several international advisory boards. He is a sought-after speaker in the United States and in various countries across Eurasia. Diplomat by training, D. Chikvaidze holds a Ph.D. in political science and has authored several articles on international relations. He has had many appearances on US network TV, UN Radio and UN speaking engagements, has written, and lectured on geopolitics and multilateralism, has taught courses on diplomacy and geopolitics, and served as MA and PhD thesis advisor. Born in Tbilisi, he is a Georgian citizen with extensive global networks.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Margareta Wahlström - Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction | Former President, Swedish Red Cross | President, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan
Margareta Wahlström is a globally recognized leader in disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding, with over 35 years of experience working at the intersection of crisis management, development, and conflict resolution. She served as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction from 2009 to 2015, leading the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). Under her leadership, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 was developed through a widely inclusive consultation process and adopted by all UN Member States — becoming the first global policy framework of its kind in 2015. Margareta is also the former President of the Swedish Red Cross and currently serves as President of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, reflecting her lifelong commitment to supporting communities affected by crisis and instability. A strong advocate for women’s participation in peace and security, Margareta has led and supported efforts around gender inclusion, including a sustained engagement with women members of CSA Mali. Her work continues to focus on the governance and performance of civil society organizations, particularly in how inclusive structures can enhance their impact and accountability. Her voice brings a powerful blend of global policy leadership, grassroots engagement, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of youth and women to build peaceful, resilient societies.
PANEL SESSIONS
Youth Segment: “Voices of a Rising Generation”
Chara Bergamin - Switzerland/Italy | International Relations & Political Science | Global Development
Chiara Bergamin completed her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations in London and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science in Geneva. She is deeply passionate about global development, international cooperation, and understanding the structural challenges faced by young people in developing countries. Chiara’s work and academic interests focus on inclusive policymaking, youth engagement, and the role of global institutions in shaping equitable development pathways. She is committed to amplifying youth voices and building bridges between regions to support meaningful change.
Olive L. Kinga - Cameroon – USA – Switzerland | National Security, Governance & AI | Young Global Leader
Olive L. Kinga is a versatile governance professional and entrepreneur with diverse experience across the public and private sectors as well as multilateral institutions and philanthropic organizations. Born in Cameroon, raised in the United States and educated in Switzerland, she brings a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective to issues of ethical leadership, national security, and youth empowerment. During the Biden-Harris Administration, Olive served as a Political Appointee in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; contributing to the White House Cabinet Affairs Report, AI Governance research and National Security reports. She has also held roles at the White House, the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, and the State Department. In addition to her policy work, Olive is the Founder and Creative Director of Lady Sprezzatura, a sustainable vintage elegant brand promoting conscious consumption and supporting the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. As she currently completes an AI Governance Programme at the University of Oxford, Olive brings a well-informed perspective on AI governance, which makes her a formidable voice for inclusive AI discourse.
Andrew Heaton Travis - United States | International & Development Studies | Peace & Security
Andrew Travis is a graduate student in international development at the Geneva Graduate Institute with experience in community engagement, communications, and research across West Africa. He has worked as a stakeholder engagement coordinator for Serious Shea, a reforestation initiative in Senegal; In Liberia, he has worked with capacity building and training programs for youth and supported the Gbowee Peace Foundation by developing communications that highlight ongoing peace and community programs; he also contributed to research at the Geneva Center for Security Policy as a Young Leader in Foreign and Security Policy. Andrew’s experience combines field engagement, research, and program support, with an interest in how communities shape development outcomes.
Intergenerational Dialogue Panel:
“Bridging Wisdom and Innovation for Sustainable Development”
Bola Sarah Adedimeji- Côte d’Ivoire | Women’s Empowerment, Faith Leadership, Social Reintegration, Philanthropy
Bola Sarah Adedimeji is an international speaker, faith leader, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Born in Côte d’Ivoire, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA from England, followed by formal theological training after receiving her calling. She is the Founder of the Bola Sarah Adedimeji Foundation (BSA), which supports orphans, widows, and underserved families through literacy programmes, economic empowerment, and social rehabilitation. Her work includes establishing centres for the reintegration of distressed young girls and sex workers, enabling pathways to dignity and stability. She serves as President of Women for the Awakening of Nations (RENA), Women of Distinction, and the International Forum for Women’s Capacity Enhancement (FIFEP), where she builds leadership skills among women and girls across nations. A serial entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of the Evangelical Mission Burning Bush, Bola embodies compassionate leadership and generational transformation.
Ghislaine Keiser - Switzerland / Uganda | Hesed World Board Member | Humanitarian Action, Community Health, Social Empowerment
Ghislaine Keiser is a dedicated humanitarian leader and a Board Member of Hesed World. She brings invaluable first-hand experience from her work in community development and social support across Uganda. She is the Founder and President of the Association Keiser Initiative for Uganda, an NGO committed to improving health, education, and social well-being in the fishing village of Kasenyi, Kasese District. Her organization addresses primary healthcare challenges, strengthens educational access, and supports vulnerable families in underserved areas. Prior to her humanitarian work, Ghislaine built a professional foundation in commerce in Geneva and banking in France. Her lived understanding of community needs and unwavering passion for service align closely with Hesed World’s mission of uplifting youth and strengthening local resilience.
Professor Patrick Maluki - Kenya | Chairman of the Department of Diplomacy and International Studies at the University of Nairobi
Professor Patrick Maluki holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, a master’s degree in international studies, a PGD in Mass Communication and a bachelor’s degree in education. He is an experienced trainer and researcher in Diplomacy and International conflict Management, International Negotiation, Mediation, human rights and governance and peace building issues. Professor Maluki is a Director at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies; University of Nairobi and he is the chairman of the Foreign Service Academy Council at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. He is the chairman of the Diplomacy Scholars Association of Kenya and editor of the Africa Journal of International Studies. Professor Maluki is also the Associate Editor of the IDIS Journal of Diplomacy and International Studies. Professor Maluki has authored several books: Peace Building Strategies and Sustainable Peace in Rwanda and Burundi; Combating new Piracy in the Indian Ocean; Role of Parliament in Peacebuilding; The Indian Ocean Rim: Order, cooperation and Community and Communication strategies in Disaster Management. Some of his Book chapters include: ‘Building Trust in post-conflict societies: the human rights and peace building lessons learned in Mt. Elgon’ in Bad Andreassen et al Poverty and Human Rights 2017, Focus Publishers; ‘Piracy as a threat to Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean’, in Makumi Mwangiru and Aparajia Biswas (eds) East Africa-India Security Relations, Nairobi: IDIS/PRIASA; “The Implications of Al-Shabaab and Small Arms and Light Weapons in Security of Horn of Africa: A Focus on Kenya”. In Vidya Jain and Matt Meyer (eds) Satyagraha / Ujamaa: Connecting Contemporary African Asian Peace-making and Nonviolence.
Dr. Amjad Mohamed Saleem (PhD) - Sri Lanka / Switzerland | IFRC | Youth Engagement, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue, Policy & Advocacy
Dr. Amjad Mohamed Saleem is a global expert in youth engagement, peacebuilding, and organizational development with over 20 years of leadership experience across humanitarian, interfaith, and civil society sectors. He holds a PhD in Ethno-Politics and an MBA in Management and Marketing, equipping him with deep expertise in strategy, communication, and conflict-sensitive approaches. As the Manager for Strategic Engagement on Youth and Peace at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), he leads global initiatives on youth engagement, and peace building. He has been instrumental in developing innovative youth-led programs and supporting resilience, leadership, and inclusion across 192 national societies. Dr. Saleem is committed to empowering young people as agents of change and strengthening intergenerational collaboration to drive lasting community impact.
Dale Sands - United States | Hesed World Advisory Group | Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Resilience, Sustainability
Dale Sands is a Hesed World Advisory Group member and the Principal Managing Director of Sands Consulting Solutions LLC, where he provides global expertise in environmental sustainability, resilience planning, and climate risk management. With decades of experience leading growth strategies in national and international engineering firms, Dale has shaped global DRR practices through public–private partnerships. He served as AECOM’s liaison to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and was elected to the UN Private Sector Advisory Group, where he served as Vice Chair (2012–2015) and later Co-Chair (2018–2019). In partnership with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, he helped establish global implementation networks to advance disaster risk reduction. Dale contributed to the Fourth U.S. National Climate Assessment (2018) and supported the City of Zhuji in China to become the first Asia-Pacific Hub City for DRR. He holds a BS in Chemistry/Biology, an MS in Environmental Health Sciences, and an MBA in Management Sciences.
Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable
"Working Together for Transformational Impact"
Dr. Fulata Lusungu Moyo - Malawi | Founder, Thimlela-STREAM | Gender, Ethics & Human Rights Specialist
Dr. Fulata L. Moyo is a leading expert in gender justice, intersectionality, ethics, and human rights, with extensive experience working at the intersection of culture, religion, and peacebuilding. A trained mediator and specialist in trauma healing and active listening, she has spent decades accompanying survivors of gender-based violence, trafficking, and conflict across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She has served in senior roles with the World Council of Churches, revitalizing global advocacy initiatives such as Thursdays in Black and developing peacebuilding resources for faith and community leaders. As Founder of Thimlela-STREAM, she advances survivor-centered approaches to resilience and justice. Dr. Moyo is widely published and recognized for mobilizing women’s leadership and intergenerational voices to drive inclusive, transformative change.
Debbra A.K. Johnson- USA | Risk & Resilience Advisor, Co-Founder & Director Emeritus, ARISE, U.S.
Debbra A.K. Johnson is a Risk & Resilience Advisor and Co-Founder and Director Emeritus of ARISE-U.S. She employs a systems approach to guide individuals, teams and organizations toward risk-informed and opportunity-focused planning & decision-making that reduces the impacts of natural and human-caused hazards for communities and stakeholders, while improving their combined resilience and sustainability. Backed by 4 decades in the private sector and a 20-year immersion in sustainability & resilience, Debbra’s projects are international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral extending from corporate advisory projects on policy and the development of standards, to sustainability and resilience innovation for the plastics industry, to research and co-authoring at the intersections of: sustainability and resilience, resilience and security, and the use of technologies for disaster risk reduction. Her LLC also provides ESG capacity building and reporting guidance services with a particular focus on micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME’s) and supply chain resilience. Debbra contributes up to 500 hours annually to related pro bono projects and initiatives as a project developer, co-author, speaker, and storyteller. She has presented and facilitated workshops internationally at summits, conferences, and trade association meetings, and presented to the UN General Assembly Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, The Americas Regional Platform, and, most recently, the 2025 UNDRR Global Platform on behalf of ARISE. She’s led working groups, and co-authored research reports, book chapters, journal articles, and papers on the private sector, disaster risk management, resilience, and sustainability -- many released by ARISE-U.S. and in conjunction with the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2025 UNDRR Global Platforms.
Olive L. Kinga - Cameroon – USA/Switzerland | National Security, Governance & AI | Young Global Leader
Olive L. Kinga is a versatile governance professional and entrepreneur with diverse experience across the public and private sectors as well as multilateral institutions and philanthropic organizations. Born in Cameroon, raised in the United States and educated in Switzerland, she brings a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective to issues of ethical leadership, national security, and youth empowerment. During the Biden-Harris Administration, Olive served as a Political Appointee in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; contributing to the White House Cabinet Affairs Report, AI Governance research and National Security reports. She has also held roles at the White House, the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, and the State Department. In addition to her policy work, Olive is the Founder and Creative Director of Lady Sprezzatura, a sustainable vintage elegant brand promoting conscious consumption and supporting the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. As she currently completes an AI Governance Programme at the University of Oxford, Olive brings a well-informed perspective on AI governance, which makes her a formidable voice for inclusive AI discourse.
Meet The Moderator
Harry Leefe - United Kingdom/Switzerland | Retired International Civil Servant & Humanitarian Professional
Executive in Residence, Geneva Centre for Security Policy
Harry Leefe is a seasoned humanitarian leader with over 25 years of experience in international crisis response, peacebuilding, and humanitarian coordination. During his career at UNHCR (1993–2018), he led major emergency operations across Africa, Asia, and the Balkans, including logistics and airlift responses for crises in Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Somalia, and Lebanon. He also held senior leadership roles within the organization, concluding his service as Global Staff Accommodation Manager. Harry currently serves as President of the Somali Ecological Society and is an Executive in Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. His work brings together decades of field expertise, cross-sector collaboration, and a deep commitment to community resilience. With his grounding in emergency leadership and intergenerational engagement, Harry brings a steady, inclusive, and mission-driven presence as Moderator for the Official Launch of Hesed World.
