Chaurice Wadzanai Dzimwasha
When I walked into the African Regional Justice Convening (ARJC) 2026, I expected to learn from colleagues across different countries. What I did not expect was to leave with a profound realization: our contexts are far more alike than they are different.
We often speak about Africa and Latin America as though they exist in entirely separate realities. Different histories. Different politics. Different cultures. Yet throughout the conversations, presentations and group discussions, I found myself hearing stories that felt strikingly familiar.
Whether participants came from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, the Dominican Republic or elsewhere, the underlying challenges echoed one another. Communities continue to grapple with shrinking civic spaces, limited funding for social justice initiatives, misinformation, stigma, inequalities in access to services, and systems that often fail to reach those who need them most. While these issues manifest differently in each country, the root causes and the resilience shown by communities are remarkably similar.
What stood out even more was not simply the challenges, but the creativity with which people are responding to them.
Across regions, organizations are investing in community-led approaches, strengthening partnerships, embracing digital technologies, empowering local champions, and finding innovative ways to ensure that accurate information reaches communities. There was a shared understanding that sustainable change does not come from one organization or one country working in isolation. It comes from collaboration, trust and learning from one another.
One discussion in particular reinforced the value of cross-regional exchange. As participants shared experiences from Latin America and Africa, it became evident that innovation often grows out of necessity. Communities facing similar constraints have developed practical, context-specific solutions that others can adapt rather than reinvent. This exchange of ideas demonstrated that knowledge is not confined by geography; it becomes stronger when shared.
For me, ARJC 2026 was a reminder that global conversations are not about comparing who has it better or worse. They are about recognising common ground. They are about understanding that while our languages, policies and cultures may differ, the aspirations of our communities remain the same: dignity, equity, inclusion and access to opportunities that enable people to thrive.
Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the convening was that solidarity is built through listening. When we create spaces to learn from one another, we discover that many of the barriers we face are shared, and so too are many of the solutions.
As organizations continue working within their own contexts, these exchanges become increasingly valuable. They challenge assumptions, inspire new approaches and remind us that meaningful progress is rarely achieved alone.
ARJC 2026 was more than a convening. It was a powerful reminder that while our borders may separate us geographically, our experiences and our determination to create lasting change connect us in ways we often underestimate.
