UNAFRI and PACEM Strengthen Collaboration on Crime Prevention and Youth Rehabilitation

UNAFRI and PACEM Havens Foundation teams engage in a strategic discussion on youth crime prevention, rehabilitation, and collaborative programming during a meeting at the UNAFRI Secretariat in Kampala.

Kampala, Uganda - 23 June 2026

The United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) held a strategic engagement meeting with PACEM Havens Foundation at the UNAFRI Secretariat to explore collaborative approaches to crime prevention, youth empowerment, offender rehabilitation, and community engagement across Africa.

The meeting brought together representatives from both institutions and reaffirmed a shared commitment to moving beyond dialogue into practical, community-centered interventions that address the root causes of crime and vulnerability among young people.

Strengthening Collaboration for Youth and Community Impact

The discussions centered on how both organizations can jointly amplify their work in supporting juveniles, ex-offenders, and vulnerable communities. A key emphasis was placed on the need to reach young people through platforms they actively engage with, including podcasts, X Spaces, and community outreach programs.

Participants highlighted UNAFRI’s role as a continental platform for visibility, networking, and knowledge sharing, noting that stronger coordination among stakeholders is essential for sustained impact in crime prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

A major outcome of the discussion was the agreement on the importance of structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure that partnerships move beyond initial engagements into measurable, long-term collaboration.

Rethinking Violent Extremism Prevention Through Lived Experience

PACEM Havens Foundation shared insights from recent work on preventing and countering violent extremism, particularly focusing on women and youth. A key concern raised was that many interventions in this space are often designed without meaningful input from individuals with lived experience of the challenges being addressed.

Participants observed that this gap can lead to fragmented responses that fail to reflect realities at community level. The meeting emphasized:

• Limited engagement with affected communities and former offenders

• Fragmented coordination among stakeholders

• Over reliance on institutional meetings rather than grassroots impact

• The need for more restorative and reformative approaches

The meeting agreed on the importance of incorporating lived experience into policy design and programming, ensuring interventions are grounded in real world conditions.

UNAFRI will explore convening a stakeholder dialogue on violent extremism prevention, with deliberate inclusion of former offenders and affected community members.

Shifting Focus Toward Rehabilitation and Reintegration

A central theme of the meeting was the urgent need to transition from purely punitive approaches to more restorative models that prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration.

Participants noted that many former offenders face stigma and limited opportunities upon release, increasing the risk of reoffending. The discussion highlighted that:

• Former offenders can contribute meaningfully to prevention through mentorship and storytelling

• Rehabilitation must include skills development and economic empowerment

• Success stories of reintegrated individuals should be documented and amplified

UNAFRI and PACEM agreed to explore a rehabilitation and reintegration initiative that engages former offenders as mentors, while also partnering with prisons, vocational institutions, and development partners to strengthen reintegration pathways.

UNAFRI Acting Director General and PACEM Board Chairman Hon. Chris Rwakasisi marking renewed commitment to partnership in crime prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.

Youth Crime Prevention Through Digital and School Based Platforms

The meeting also addressed the growing influence of drugs, online abuse, criminal networks, and harmful social influences on young people across Africa.

Participants agreed that prevention efforts are most effective when they engage young people early and through relatable formats. Key insights included:

• Youth respond more strongly to lived experiences than formal lectures

• Schools remain a critical entry point for prevention education

• Digital platforms, including podcasts, offer high impact outreach opportunities

  
  

As a result, UNAFRI will work toward launching a youth focused podcast series featuring former offenders and rehabilitation success stories, alongside the development of school outreach programs on drug abuse, online safety, and responsible citizenship.

Members of UNAFRI and PACEM Havens Foundation pose for a group photograph following a productive engagement focused on strengthening collaboration in youth empowerment and crime prevention across Africa.

Towards an African Crime Prevention Podcast Platform

A major proposal from the meeting was the development of a continental podcast and dialogue platform dedicated to crime prevention and justice reform. The proposed platform will:

• Feature speakers from across African countries

• Center discussions on youth empowerment, rehabilitation, and justice reform

• Prioritize personal narratives and lived experiences

• Create a consistent space for continental knowledge exchange

UNAFRI will lead the process of finalizing the concept and preparing the first episode, which is expected to feature a former offender sharing their rehabilitation journey.

The meeting marked an important step toward deepening collaboration between UNAFRI and PACEM Havens Foundation. Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to shifting from discussions to practical initiatives that elevate lived experiences, strengthen rehabilitation systems, and empower young people to become active participants in crime prevention and social transformation across Africa.