Stage 01
Community Conversations
Listening within communities
Community-specific conversations where participants explore their own identities, histories, traditions, experiences and perspectives.
A Community Dialogue & Cultural Exchange Initiative in Marsabit County, Kenya
ONE NORTH 2026–2027
Different Roots. Shared Future.
“How Can We Be Different, Yet Belong Together?”
Supporting meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange and stronger relationships across communities in Marsabit County.
Flagship gatheringOne North 2027 · April 2027
About One North
Culture is the entry point. Dialogue is the method.
One North is a community dialogue and cultural exchange initiative designed to create meaningful opportunities for people from different communities in Marsabit County to meet, listen, learn, share and connect.
Through conversations around identity, language, names, traditions, food, stories, music, family life, values and everyday experiences, One North creates opportunities for people to understand one another beyond assumptions and social boundaries.
The 2026–2027 programme moves through community conversations, inter-community cultural exchange and dialogue, leading toward the One North 2027 flagship gathering in April.
Our differences do not have to separate us. They can become opportunities to understand one another.
Why One North?
Diversity is a strength. Interaction makes it visible.
Marsabit County is home to diverse communities with distinct histories, cultures, languages, traditions and identities. This diversity is one of the county's greatest strengths.
However, people can live alongside one another without always having meaningful opportunities to learn about each other's experiences, cultures, similarities and differences. One North creates spaces where people can meet beyond ordinary social boundaries.
The initiative takes a relationship-centred approach to peacebuilding. Peace is not only the absence of conflict.
UnderstandingTrustRelationshipsDialogueRespect
Culture provides a natural starting point
- A conversation about names can become a conversation about identity.
- A discussion about food can reveal shared values.
- A story can create understanding.
- A cultural exchange can reveal unexpected similarities.
One North does not seek to erase differences. It asks:
How can we be different, yet belong together?
The One North Journey
Three stages, one direction
Listening within communities, interaction between communities, and a shared public gathering in April 2027.
Stage 02
Inter-Community Exchange
Meeting across communities
Participants from different communities come together to share, compare, learn and interact.
Stage 03
One North 2027
Flagship gathering · April 2027
A major public gathering bringing together communities, young people, cultural leaders, elders, women, religious and community leaders, civil society, NGOs, businesses, institutions and the wider public.
Stage 01 — Possible conversation themes
- Cultural identity
- Names and naming traditions
- Language
- Food and hospitality
- Family traditions
- Stories and oral history
- Music and art
- Traditional knowledge
- Shared values
- Similarities and differences
- Community relationships
- Hopes for the future
These conversations allow One North to listen to communities before bringing different communities together. Where appropriate and with informed consent, stories and learning may be documented.
Stage 02 — Focus of the exchange
Cultural exchangeDialogueShared experiencesSimilarities and differencesStorytellingYouth interactionCreative expressionRelationship building
The purpose is not to determine which culture is better. The purpose is to discover that difference and belonging can exist together.
Signature Feature
The One North Circle
Different voices. One conversation.
At the heart of One North is an open, facilitated conversation where representatives from different communities sit together and engage directly with one another. The wider audience is invited to listen, ask questions, reflect and contribute.
- What makes our communities unique?
- What do we share?
- What traditions are surprisingly similar?
- What have we misunderstood about one another?
- What can we learn from each other's cultures?
- How can diversity become a strength?
- What kind of future can we build together?
One
Conversation
Illustration of community representatives seated together in an open dialogue circle with a facilitator and a wider listening audience.
Culture as a Bridge
Culture opens the conversation
Culture is integrated throughout One North — not as decoration, but as an entry point for curiosity and understanding.
Storytelling
Music
Dance
Poetry
Traditional Attire
Food
Art
Cultural Displays
NamesIdentity
FoodShared values
StoriesUnderstanding
Cultural exchangeUnexpected similarities
These elements are not intended to turn One North into a conventional cultural festival. They are entry points for conversation, curiosity and understanding. The central focus remains dialogue, understanding, relationships and peace.
The Flagship
ONE NORTH 2027
April 2027
Different Roots. Shared Future.
A major community and youth gathering combining peacebuilding dialogue, cultural exchange, youth participation, creative expression, networking, exhibitions and entertainment. One North 2027 is designed as a public experience — culturally rich, engaging, enjoyable and socially meaningful.
Peacebuilding dialogueCultural exchangeYouth participationMusicPoetryDanceStorytellingCommunity networkingYouth enterpriseExhibitionsLeadership engagementEntertainment
Exact event-day details will be published once officially confirmed.
A journey through the day
The flow below shows how the day is shaped. Exact times are not published until the final programme is confirmed.
Morning
Arrival & Welcome
Arrival · Registration · Cultural welcome · Exhibitions · Networking
Late Morning
Youth & Community Conversation
Opening dialogue session
Cultural Interlude
Culture on the Floor
Storytelling · Poetry · Music · Dance
Midday
One North Circle I
Interactive community dialogue
Lunch
Food & Cultural Exchange
Food · Cultural exchange · Networking
Afternoon
Youth Leadership & Future Session
Youth voices · Shared future
Cultural Interlude II
Creative Expression
Creative performance · Storytelling
Late Afternoon
One North Circle II
Audience dialogue · Questions · Reflections
Evening
Leadership & Partner Engagement
Partner engagement · Shared future reflections
Optional Extension
Entertainment
Local and regional artists · Curated entertainment
The optional entertainment extension is subject to final programme, budget and permissions.
2026–2027 Programme Journey
How we get to April 2027
One North is already under development. Each phase builds toward the flagship gathering.
September 2026
Foundation
Complete organisational activities, document outcomes and begin detailed One North preparation.
October 2026
Planning & Partnership Development
Programme development, stakeholder engagement, sponsorship preparation and resource mobilisation.
November–December 2026
Resource Mobilisation
Partnership outreach, sponsorship, advertising, programme development, cultural and creative engagement and public awareness.
December 2026
Optional Preview / Community Activation
If resources permit, a smaller preview or community activation may introduce One North 2027, showcase culture and begin early ticket mobilisation.
December is not the flagship. This activation is optional and may be skipped.
January 2027
Public Launch
Official public launch of One North 2027 and the opening of ticket sales.
February–March 2027
Intensive Mobilisation
Marketing, ticket sales, sponsorship, advertising, partner engagement, community mobilisation and final programme preparation.
April 2027
One North 2027
Flagship community dialogue and cultural exchange gathering.
Youth Participation
Young people as active contributors
One North has a strong youth presence while remaining a community-wide initiative.
SpeakersPerformersFacilitatorsStorytellersVolunteersCultural ambassadorsEntrepreneursOrganisersDialogue participants
Young people are presented as active contributors to social cohesion and the future of Marsabit County — not as an audience.
Who We Bring Together
One North is community-wide
Communities
Young People
Women
Elders
Cultural Leaders
Religious Leaders
Community Leaders
NGOs & CSOs
Businesses
Institutions
Creatives
The Wider Public
Partnership Opportunity
Partner With One North
One North is being developed as a collaborative initiative. We welcome organisations, businesses, institutions, leaders and individuals who would like to contribute.
Financial Support
Sponsorship
Advertising
Venue Support
Transport
Equipment
Food & Refreshments
Media & Publicity
Documentation
Technical Expertise
Community Mobilisation
Exhibition / Vendor Support
Cultural Participation
Partnership opportunities can be tailored according to an organisation's mandate, interests and available resources.
Why Partner With One North?
Community value, clearly stated
Support community dialogue.
Promote cultural understanding.
Strengthen relationships across differences.
Support social cohesion.
Reach a diverse community audience.
Support youth participation.
Create meaningful community visibility.
Associate with a locally grounded initiative.
Contribute to a shared future for Marsabit County.
Building One North Together
A mixed resource model
One North 2027 is designed around participation and partnership rather than appeals.
Ticket sales
Corporate sponsorship
Organisational partnerships
Advertising
Exhibition and vendor spaces
In-kind partnerships
Current Status
One North 2026–2027 — currently in development
U-MATTER Kenya Organization is engaging communities, leaders, institutions, businesses and potential partners as preparations continue toward the April 2027 flagship gathering.
PlanningCommunity engagementPartnership developmentResource mobilisationProgramme developmentPublicityTicketing preparation
Be Part of the Conversation.
One North belongs to all of us.
Whether you are a community member, young person, cultural practitioner, organisation, business, institution or leader, there is a place for you in the conversation.
ONE NORTH 2026–2027
Different Roots. Shared Future.
“How Can We Be Different, Yet Belong Together?”