First JWL Graduate-led conference marks new milestone in empowering learners in marginalised settings

JWL celebrated a landmark moment with its first-ever graduate-led conference, a vibrant gathering – for graduates by graduates – under the theme ‘Alumni Voices on Peace and Digital Transformation’. Held over two days (29-30 November), the conference brought together over 100 graduates, students, faculty, facilitators, and participants from across the world to share stories, exchange ideas, and collectively envision a brighter future for marginalised communities.

This milestone event is the result of a journey that began in January 2023, during a brainstorming meeting on communication and engagement in Munich. Driven by the desire to highlight graduate successes, JWL representatives envisioned a platform to connect and engage alumni. The initial idea – to create a global JWL alumni network – was born from a simple question: how can graduates stay connected, share opportunities, and continue to collaborate after completing their studies?

Once created, the JWL Alumni WhatsApp Community quickly grew to encompass hundreds of graduates with the driving motto: ‘For alumni by alumni’. Alumni moderators such as Kalo (Certificate in Liberal Studies graduate, Kenya) and Anitta (CLS graduate, Sri Lanka) played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful discussions, and creating a space for graduates to share their stories and opportunities.

From Social Network to Global Conference

One of the Alumni Community’s most ambitious ideas emerged early on: a global graduate conference to bring together voices and experiences from JWL graduates worldwide. Spearheaded by Kalo’s unwavering passion and supported by alumni moderators Barfi (Peace Leader graduate, Iraq), Lana (Peace Leader graduate, Iraq), Eziber (Business Administration student, Kenya) and Ndarabu (Global English Language and Creative Writing and Design graduate, Kenya), the conference became a reality.

The conference explored themes of peace, resilience, and the ethical use of technology as a tool for empowerment and transformation, and highlighted practical steps graduates are taking to foster change in their communities. One of the key takeaways was that technology can be empowering for marginalised communities as long as it is used ethically.

Speakers and participants emphasised the importance of peacebuilding, underscoring that peace begins within every individual and that no one needs to be an expert to start making peace in their communities. A recurring message was that “we cannot give what we don’t have”, that peace starts with self-reflection and inner harmony before it can radiate outward to communities, civil society, and governments. 

A Promising Future for the Alumni Community

This first graduate-led conference is a powerful reminder of the strength of the JWL alumni network. It reflects the core values of JWL: forming leaders who go beyond personal success to serve others and contribute to local/global change.

The event concluded with a call to action: to continue building on the connections made, the stories shared, and the ideas sparked during the sessions.

Moving forward, the alumni community aims to strengthen its global network through ongoing collaboration, mentorship, and support of graduate initiatives, encouraging members to create innovative solutions for their communities.

A Legacy of Resilience and Hope

As Nkembe (Peace Leader and Interreligious Cooperation for Peace programmes graduate, Malawi) aptly noted, “Where life hurts, love heals.” This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of the JWL alumni community and its commitment to transforming lives through education.

From Myanmar to Kenya, from Sri Lanka to Iraq, JWL graduates are demonstrating that  - in the words of opening address speaker Gerawork (Onsite Facilitator, BA in Sustainable Development programme, Kenya) –“learning plus doing equals becoming.”). Through their resilience, creativity, and leadership, they are proving that education is not just a tool for individual empowerment but a force for global peace and solidarity.

This conference marks the beginning of a new chapter for JWL alumni—a chapter where they take the lead to creatively maintain and foster links worldwide, for lifelong learning and action in service of their communities.