NIGERIAN POET MARYAM BUKAR HASSAN BECOMES UN’S FIRST-EVER GLOBAL ADVOCATE FOR PEACE THROUGH ART

Nigerian Poet Maryam Bukar Hassan Named UN Global Advocate for Peace, Using Poetry to Champion Youth, Women, and Inclusive Peacebuilding Worldwide.

Nigeria Appointment Un global advocate for peace Poetry Women Youth Arts.
Spoken word artist and poet, Maryam Bukar Hassan
Spoken word artist and poet, Maryam Bukar Hassan

In a landmark move blending creativity with global advocacy, the United Nations has appointed Nigerian spoken word artist and poet, Maryam Bukar Hassan, as its first-ever Global Advocate for Peace, a role that places artistic expression at the forefront of international peacebuilding efforts.

Renowned for her powerful performances and advocacy for gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peace, Ms. Bukar, popularly known by her stage name Alhanislam, has long used poetry as a platform for social impact. Her designation marks a historic first for the UN’s Peace and Security Pillar, signaling a bold shift toward harnessing the arts to promote dialogue, healing, and unity.

Speaking on the appointment, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said, “The dedication of the Global Advocate’s time and energy to this effort will greatly increase awareness of the peace and security priorities of the United Nations, particularly the vital role of women and youth in advancing inclusive and sustainable peace.”

Her journey has taken her to global stages such as TED Talks, the World Bank Youth Summit, and the UN SDG Awards. She has collaborated with the UN on projects including the celebrated “Peace Begins With Me” poetry video and a powerful spoken word performance at the 2023 Summit of the Future. Her work continues to resonate deeply with audiences across borders.

Ms. Bukar’s influence has also earned her multiple recognitions, including the Sustainable Africa Award at COP28 and a finalist spot in the 2024 UN SDG Creativity Award.

Welcoming the appointment, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, emphasized the power of the arts in diplomacy: “Art has the power to move hearts, inspire action, and bring communities together… Ms. Bukar has shown how creativity can be a force for peacebuilding, dialogue, and inclusion.”

In her new capacity, Bukar will support the UN’s peace objectives by engaging the public through storytelling, digital media, and live performances. Her advocacy will spotlight key UN agendas, including Women, Peace and Security, and Youth, Peace and Security, further amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in global peace discourse.

Her first public appearance in the new role will be at New York City’s SummerStage Festival on Sunday, 27 July, where she will perform alongside Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti and Cape Verdean singer Elida Almeida, among others.

With this appointment, the United Nations reaffirms the growing recognition of art as a strategic tool in advancing peace, inclusion, and sustainable development. And with Maryam Bukar Hassan at the helm, a new chapter in global peace advocacy begins, spoken from the heart and echoed through poetry.

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