From Vision to Impact: The Official Launch of Hesed World

On November 25, 2025, Hesed World officially entered the global stage with a launch that brought people together across borders, generations, and diverse lived experiences.

Held as a hybrid gathering in Geneva and online, the launch welcomed participants from in-person and virtual locations, including Switzerland, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and Cameroon. Among them were young people from rural communities in Malawi, joining from Dowa, Nalikule, Mwansangu, and Lilongwe, a reminder of why access and inclusion remain central to Hesed World’s mission.

Hesed World leadership and partners gather in Geneva, Switzerland, to celebrate the launch of the organization.

Youth leaders, diplomats, academics, development practitioners, civil society actors, faith-based organisations, foundations, and private-sector partners came together to reflect on a shared challenge: how to better support young people in a world shaped by uncertainty, limited opportunity, and widening skills gaps.

Throughout the programme, youth voices were placed at the centre. Young speakers spoke openly about the need for structured mentorship, exposure to global networks, and practical skills, including digital and AI literacy. Their message was clear: young people are not waiting to lead in the future; they are already contributing and need systems that support them now.

Former Sierre Leone Ambassador to the UN Yvette Stevens speaks at the Hesed World launch on the power of mentorship in her own life.

Senior leaders and experts echoed this call, emphasising ethical leadership, accountability, and the importance of intergenerational collaboration.

Conversations focused on moving away from token involvement of youth toward genuine partnership, where young people are engaged as co-creators, decision-makers, and leaders.

The Hesed World Mentorship Survey

The launch also marked the presentation of Hesed World’s first Africa Youth Mentorship Survey, conducted across Kenya, Nigeria, and Malawi. The findings reinforced what many in the room already sensed: there is strong demand for mentorship, alignment between mentors and mentees, and a pressing need to address barriers such as limited exposure, financial constraints, and mental well-being challenges.

Former UN-Geneva Chief of Staff David Chikvaidze speaks to the audience on the importance of youth development in Africa.

The event concluded with the official launch of Hesed World and the presentation of a forward-looking roadmap for 2026, centred on expanding mentorship programmes, strengthening partnerships, embedding gender and inclusion principles, and ensuring youth participation in decision-making.

What defined the day was not only the calibre of voices in the room, but the shared

commitment that emerged. The launch affirmed Hesed World’s purpose: to build an inclusive, youth-centred movement that connects generations, values evidence, and turns intention into action.

November 25, 2025, marked more than the launch of an organisation. It marked the beginning of a collective effort to empower young people — one student, one dream, and one life at a time.

Generations united. Change ignited.

Check out the Hesed World Official Launch Report for more details.