ICO has observer and consultative status to the United Nations ECOSOC. This allows us to internationally represent the communities we work with. We can field representatives at the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna who participate in conferences and meetings of UN bodies, providing testimony, statements and expertise from reconciliation and peace-building perspectives, promoting non-violent alternatives in the fields of minority rights, and Development.

Our affiliation has enabled us to advocate on the behalf of the minorities we represent. On behalf of Nigeria, we were able to inform expert mechanisms visit to Nigeria 29 August – 9 September 2022 (Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons).

ICO has recently made contributions to the UN UPR process for Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. ICO conducted a number of in-depth interviews with a variety of local stakeholders to collect data and analyse the human rights situations on the ground.

As well as providing insight and analysis into problems being faced on the ground, ICO made a number of recommendations to the government in order to address these issues.

These UPR submissions can be found below.

Liberia UPR Submission

Guinea Bissau UPR Submission

ICO Burkina Faso UPR Submission

ICO Cape Verde UPR Submission

ICO Nigeria UPR Submission

In March 2024 ICO responded to a call for input from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights by submitting a report on excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement in Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Guinea Bissau. This report was based on in-depth research that ICO conducted in each of these countries through Key Informant Interviews and surveys.

ICO report on excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement in Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Guinea Bissau.

The ICO General Assembly provides leaders, activists, civil society organisations and minority group representatives a platform to raise issues that are being faced by their people. These primarily include matters related to self-determination which is often associated with cultural rights, the right to political participation, equality and non-discrimination, adequate standards of living, right to resources and property or other human rights concerns.

The inaugural International Communities Organisation (ICO) General Assembly was held on December 12th 2023 and marked a major milestone in the global advocacy efforts for minority rights.

Minority representatives from 18 countries attended, along with his excellency Mr Abdullah Shahid, President of the 76th UN General Assembly, and Dr Varenes, former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Rights, who enriched these critical discussions with their expertise.

The lessons learned from the assembly will drive our efforts to ensure that the rights of minority communities are at the forefront of human rights discourse. Far more than an event, the Assembly represents a stepping stone towards making 2024 a landmark year in the pursuit of an equitable world for all minorities.

A number of participants registered for the ICO General Assembly represent minority groups in West Africa, including organizations such as AJPDH from Guinea Bissau and IMC and FCT, Kaduna from Nigeria.

ICO General Assemblies bring together a powerful coalition of global leaders, Indigenous Peoples representatives, human rights defenders, and grassroots activists to confront the systemic challenges facing minority communities around the world.

Keynote speakers include ICO Secretary-General James Holmes, who reaffirmed ICO’s commitment to grassroots advocacy, and H.E. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th UN General Assembly, who called for a more inclusive and representative global governance system. Dr. Fernand de Varennes, former UN Special Rapporteur, urged institutions to translate advocacy into real-world action.

From testimonies on land rights and political exclusion to calls for policy reform, these Assemblies are a collective demand for lasting change.

Establishing Local Community Peace Structures

The Special Envoy, in partnership with ICO, supports peacebuilding in North Central Nigeria, guided by the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. ICO has established community-level peace structures across Kogi, Benue, and Plateau states, bringing together traditional leaders, youth, women, government officials, and civil society to foster dialogue, build trust, and manage inter-communal tensions.

These structures are complemented by capacity-building workshops on conflict resolution, early warning systems, and cooperation with security agencies, ensuring locally led, sustainable peace initiatives that translate UPR recommendations into tangible community impact.

 Although conflict in Kaduna is driven by multiple socio-economic and political factors, it is religion that is the core source of the violence. There is on-going religious nationalistic tension between different ethnic groups who both think they have a God given ‘right’ to certain land, causing violent responses. 

Peace Centers at Schools in Kaduna, since 2022

Young people are often not included in the peacebuilding phase, and have little voice in policy making. Through this workshop, children and young people will feel a sense of belonging; we support them to mobilize their intellectual powers across different socio-economic status and ethnic, and linguistic identities.

The purpose of the project is to facilitate youth education for the importance of ethics, peacebuilding, reconciliation and the dangers of fraud and financial crimes in the society. To ensure sustainability, FCT Mitrovica is establishing Peace Centres at schools of Kaduna. So far, we have provided one training to 120 students.

Project goals:

• Use the power of education for ethics, peacebuilding, and reconciliation 
• Address the issues caused by the lack of investment and quality in early childhood programs for children and societies; 
• Tackle the issues resulted from displacement, conflict, inequalities and violence in the community 
• Stop young people from engaging in fraudulent activities and educate them on the dangers and laws of the country.

Fourth Annual FCT Conference: Kaduna, Nigeria November 4th-8th 2013

The 4th annual conference of the Forum for Cities in Transition was held in Kaduna, Nigeria on the 4th-8th of November 2013, hosted by the by the Kaduna State Government, under the stewardship of H.E. Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

Seven Nigerian cities which experience the highest level of Muslim- Christian violence participated: Maiduguri, Jos, Bauchi, Kano, Ibadan and Warri. One of the most significant outcomes of this year’s FCT was their pledge to launch a first ever peace hub in Kaduna that will serve to mediate tensions and build peace among the diverse communities of these northern Nigerian cities. Representatives from four African countries: Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana also attended as observers.

Thirteen non-African cities also participated: Baghdad, Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, Haifa, Jerusalem, Kirkuk, Mitrovica, Mitte, Mostar, Ramallah, Sarajevo, Srebrenica and Tripoli Lebanon. Delegates included mayors, councillors, municipal officers, and representatives of the business, voluntary and community sectors. 

This was the first ever gathering with an international presence of this size and scope in the city’s history.

ICO’s Work in Guinea-Bissau

Advocating for Marginalised Communities at the UN

In Guinea-Bissau, the Special Envoy and ICO, in partnership with AJPDH, work to advance UPR recommendations and protect minority groups. ICO supported community engagement, advocacy strategy development, and partnerships with local leaders and civil society.

On 26 September 2025, at the 60th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Director of the Special Envoy represented ICO and delivered an in-person statement highlighting the marginalisation of Fula and Bijagós peoples, including ongoing issues of gender-based violence, linguistic prejudice, and economic exclusion. These efforts ensure that international advocacy and national policies address the rights and inclusion of historically excluded communities.

Special Envoy’s Programmes Director Conducts Key Field Visit to Guinea-Bissau 

October, 2024 – Charlie Grant, Programmes Director for the Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation in West Africa recently conducted a significant field visit to Guinea-Bissau, aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening peacebuilding efforts in the region. 

During the visit, he held several key meetings, including a vital discussion with the President of the Youth Association for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (AJPDH). AJPDH, a key partner of the International Communities Organization (ICO), recently worked with ICO to contribute to collect data, conduct research and create a report to contribute to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Guinea-Bissau, with a focus on advocating for minority rights in the country. 

In addition to this, the Programmes Director established new connections with leading officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). These interactions are set to further strengthen multilateral cooperation in peacebuilding and human rights advocacy in the region. 

This field visit underscores the Special Envoy’s commitment to advancing peace, reconciliation, and the protection of human rights across West Africa.

Strengthening Capacity and Inclusive Policy

In Sierra Leone, the Special Envoy and ICO work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) to advance UPR recommendations. In October 2025, the Director facilitated and co-designed a two-day Capacity Building Workshop for government and civil society, focusing on human rights reporting, data management, and integrating UPR recommendations into national policies.

This was followed by a National Stakeholder Consultation to assess priority issues including gender equality, youth empowerment, civic space, and access to justice. By combining expert-led training with inclusive dialogue, ICO ensures that UPR commitments result in actionable policies and community-level improvements.

ICO’s Work to Support UPR Implementation in Burkina Faso

Supporting National Action for Peace and Inclusion

In Burkina Faso, the Special Envoy and ICO support the implementation of UPR recommendations by working closely with the government and civil society. In April 2025, ICO participated in a national workshop in Ouagadougou to help draft the country’s National Action Plan.

Through technical recommendations on capacity building, gender-based violence prevention, education for marginalised communities, and inclusive policymaking, ICO ensures national policies foster social cohesion, human rights, and meaningful change for historically overlooked groups.

The Director of the Special Envoy has actively represented ICO across West Africa, supporting these initiatives and ensuring that UPR recommendations are translated into locally led, sustainable peace solutions.