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PeaceCon 2026 brought a fresh approach to peacebuilding in Islamabad on Saturday, taking participants beyond the conventional conference auditorium and engaging them through outdoor activities, mindfulness, creative expression, multidisciplinary dialogue, music and theatre.
Organised around three core pillars, Intrapersonal Peace, Interpersonal Peace and Peace in the Natural Environment, the conference brought together diverse approaches to exploring peace and its relevance to everyday life. Activities took place across three locations in Islamabad: the Margalla Hills, F-9 Park and The Millennium Universal College (TMUC), H-11/4.
Chief Organiser Dr Afshan Huma (Ms) envisioned a conference format that moved beyond the traditional model of participants sitting in an auditorium. Building on the experience of the first edition, the second PeaceCon continued this approach through interactive and participatory activities that brought peacebuilding to life in different settings.
The day began with Hike & Speak at Trail 3 in the Margalla Hills and Walk & Talk at F-9 Park, encouraging participants to connect with one another through shared outdoor experiences and conversation. A Meditation & Mindfulness session at F-9 Park offered participants an opportunity to pause, focus on their well-being, and cultivate inner peace in a natural setting.
The morning programme also featured a Reflection & Online Session, connecting participants joining remotely with moderators facilitating the exchange. Art and drawing activities invited people of all ages to express their ideas of peace and harmony creatively. Children and adults alike took part, demonstrating how artistic expression can provide a shared space for reflection, imagination and connection.
At TMUC Islamabad, a Children’s Arts Exhibition showcased children’s creativity and highlighted the role of art in promoting peace. The programme continued with a multidisciplinary Panel Discussion featuring Dr Usama Bin Zubair, Mrs Amna Salik, Mr Ali Usman Bajwa and Ms Waiza Rafique. Bringing together perspectives from different disciplines, the panel explored approaches to intrapersonal and interpersonal peacebuilding.
The conference’s cultural programme featured a musical performance by singer Ayaz Shafi, followed by a theatre performance by Safeer Ullah Khan, an experienced theatre artist, supported by Saliha Bilal. Through music and dramatic storytelling, the performances highlighted the potential of the arts to communicate shared human experiences, encourage empathy and build connections across differences. The programme concluded with a closing address.
PeaceCon 2026 was made possible through the collaboration of QualityES, Peace Club, PAK NGOs, TRISS and TMUC. Their collective efforts brought together peacebuilders, thinkers, educators and artists around a shared commitment to a more peaceful future.
By combining outdoor engagement, mindfulness, online participation, creative activities, expert dialogue, music and theatre, PeaceCon 2026 demonstrated that peacebuilding can extend beyond formal discussions and become a participatory experience rooted in personal reflection, relationships and connection with the natural environment.
The event’s guiding message captured this vision: “One Day. Many Voices. One Peace.”
