Mr. Victor Ochen has been the Founder and Executive Director of the African Youth Initiative Network since 2005. Born in northern Uganda, he spent 21 years amid a violent conflict that displaced over three million people and over 60,000 children, including his brother, who was forcefully abducted and recruited as a child soldier. At only 13 years old, Ochen founded the Peace Club while living in northern Uganda’s Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp. In 2015, Ochen was the first Ugandan, and the youngest ever African, nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and was named one of the top 10 most influential men and new hope for Africa by Forbes Magazine. Ochen is a role model for young people, especially those caught up in the hardship of conflict - championing the protection of children’s rights and promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.
