12:00, 21 September 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
In a time when polarisation often dominates headlines, there are communities quietly working to rebuild the foundations of peace, not just through words but through meaningful action. Across the UK, young people inspired by Bahá’í principles are dedicating their time and energy to community-building efforts that nurture unity, justice, and friendship.
Guided by their conviction in the oneness of humanity, these youth are engaging in grassroots initiatives that help re-imagine what peace looks like in everyday life. Whether they are offering spiritual education for children, empowering junior youth (aged 11-14) through mentorship, or collaborating on projects that address local needs, they are showing that peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, compassion, and cooperation.
Much of this work places young people at the heart of change. By supporting one another in service, fostering spaces where everyone feels they belong, and learning to consult and act together, they are creating the conditions for long-term, sustainable peace that grows outward from the neighbourhood level.
To mark this International Day of Peace, we spoke to several youth practitioners from the Bahá’í community whose work offers a refreshing and deeply inspiring perspective on what it really means to be a peacemaker in 2025. Here’s what they had to say:
What role do you believe young people can play in creating lasting change and peace in their communities?
Young people are not just future leaders – they are now protagonists of change, one youth shared. They bring energy, creativity, and idealism to confront real issues in their communities. By leading grassroots initiatives – from children’s classes to social action projects – they help to reshape narratives, overcome stereotypes, and transform both their neighbourhoods and themselves.
What inspires you to take part in peace‑building activities?
The belief that nobility and hope are inherent in youth, was one answer. Though society often sees young people as “a problem to be solved”, we feel a calling to embody values of service, justice, and unity.
Also, events like the National Youth Conference are powerful. Being with peers who share the same aspirations – for service, reflection, companionship – renews our motivation. Peace-building feels not only possible, but urgent.
How do the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, such as equality and the elimination of prejudice, guide your everyday actions?
The Faith urges us to see the “noble identity” of every person, they said. That inspires us to challenge harmful stereotypes, and to treat others with kindness and humility.
There’s also this idea of a “two‑fold moral purpose” – personal growth and service to others. That’s a big part of daily life. Whether it’s how we study, interact with friends, or make decisions, we try to bring virtues like truthfulness, consultation and compassion into every space.
How do you go about creating spaces where people from different backgrounds feel respected and included?
By serving alongside others – whether it’s planning a children’s class or starting a community garden – we build trust and friendship through shared purpose.
Also, we make education collaborative. For example, when we came together with friends and neighbours in my community to consult, it was flagged that there was constant litter in the garage space between two roads. It was a dark place with cracks in the pavement that no one wanted to use. So, we decided to do a litter-picking project. Once the place was clean, we invited all the neighbours to plant little saplings along the pavement. Because everyone was included in the project, the place was beautified and people felt a sense of ownership, refusing to litter and using the space for families to meet and children to play. Recently, those children have painted rocks to place around the street, beautifying the space even further. Together, we created a physical and spiritual environment where people feel they belong and can contribute meaningfully. That’s how unity grows – through including everyone, their ideas and passions in a collective pursuit of betterment.
What does “peace” mean to you personally, and how do you live it out in your daily life?
Peace is more than the absence of conflict – it’s justice, unity, and harmony between people. It’s expressed in service, relationships, and the shaping of our communities.
Living it out means choosing humility and kindness in our everyday actions. Whether we’re at work, in school, or helping out in the neighbourhood, peace comes through honesty, service, and seeing the potential in those around us.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
UK Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs. Representing the Bahá’í community in public discourse and focusing on promoting principles such as unity, justice, iin building peaceful, inclusive societies. Find out more.
Peace Direct. This organisation supports local peacebuilders in conflict-affected areas around the world, recognising that sustainable peace must be led from within communities. Their work empowers grassroots leaders to resolve conflict, prevent violence, and build lasting peace. Learn more here.
The Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF). Based in Nigeria, this non-profit focuses on building young people’s capacity to lead change in their communities through education, leadership training, and civic engagement. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Peace Justice and Strong Institutions.
Photo credits: UK Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs
