Towards the UN People's Assembly: seminars with Monicah Malith and Akeya Dadi, young human rights defenders, Padova, 8 October 2025

From 9 to 12 October, Perugia will host the UN People's Assembly, the event preceding the Perugia-Assisi March for Peace and Fraternity. 

During these four days, discussions will focus on how to build a consciousness, a culture and a policy of peace, key themes that emerged during the Peace Camp 2025 held from 28 to 31 August 2025.

Monicah Nyareng Malith and Akeya Dadi, two young activists for justice and peace, will participate in the UN Assembly of Peoples, with the support of the Human Rights Center and the Municipality of Padua.

On Wednesday, October 8, in the Sala Anziani, at Comune di Padova, together with the Human Rights Center, is organizing two meetings with ambassadors-representatives Akeya and Monicah:

• 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Meeting reserved for students participating in the Peace March.
• 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Meeting “Towards the UN of the Peoples - Imagine all the people” with the participation of Councilor Benciolini and the two ambassador-representatives Akeya and Monicah. The meeting will be dedicated to the presentation of the UN of the Peoples and Scholars at Risk initiatives, as well as the ambassadors-representatives' experiences.

Monicah Nyareng Malith is a young woman who has always been committed to giving voice to justice, inclusion and transformation, will also participate in the UN People's Assembly.

Since her youth, she has been committed to supporting vulnerable communities and refugees, having herself fled her country of origin, South Sudan, following the outbreak of conflict.

Upon arriving in Kenya, she managed to enrol in law studies at the University of Nairobi, eventually becoming the first international student to be elected President of the University of Nairobi Students Association.

Among her various speeches, the one she gave at the 2024 United Nations Summit on the Future in New York stands out.

The theme of peace resounds in her speech: “Without peace, there can be no safety, nor development; without security, there can be no stability. Without stability, education falters, and nations fail.” 

Akeya Zeleke Dadi is a young communicator, peace builder, educator and technology facilitator, will also be a guest at the UN Assembly of Peoples.

Born in Ethiopia and currently residing in Padova, he has long been involved in the non-violent transformation of conflicts, with a particular focus on their psychological aspects.

His education in technology is significant, leading him to become involved in the CVEinAI (Critical Virtual Exchange in Artificial Intelligence) project, which aims to promote critical literacy and ethical awareness in the field of artificial intelligence.

He is also a volunteer ambassador for SOPHOS Africa, a non-profit organisation that promotes values such as unity, integrity and ethics.