IMPORTANT – Safety 2026 now takes place from 1–4 September 2026. Opening Ceremony, Opening Plenary & Welcome Reception Hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies commence on Tuesday 1 September.
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IMPORTANT – Safety 2026 now takes place from 1–4 September 2026. Opening Ceremony, Opening Plenary & Welcome Reception Hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies commence on Tuesday 1 September.
Where Science Meets Society
Traditional scientific conferences are excellent at sharing evidence. They are less successful at creating meaningful dialogue between researchers, policymakers, practitioners and the communities they serve. The Global Village was created to change that. The Global Village is a vibrant, interactive space at Safety 2026 open to the public and delegates. Located in the lobby of the Cape Town International Conference Centre, but before delegates go through security screening, this space is where conference delegates, community members, civil society organisations, youth groups, researchers, innovators, and local stakeholders come together to connect, learn, and share experiences.
Planned activities include
|Shell scheme design 6 x 6 with one solid wall and +/- 20 chairs|
The Networking Zones have not been designed as eight independent topic areas They have been intentionally created as an interconnected ecosystem of communities of practice that reflects the complexity of creating safer societies. Violence and injury do not arise from a single cause, nor can they be prevented by a single profession, organisation or sector. Safer societies emerge when families, communities, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, businesses, educators and people with lived experience work together around shared goals.
Each Networking Zone therefore represents an important part of the safety ecosystem while remaining connected to the others through the principles of Ubuntu and the conference’s whole-of-society approach. Together they provide spaces where science meets society, partnerships are formed, ideas are challenged, and collective action begins.
Rather than creating isolated conversations, the Networking Zones are designed to encourage movement between communities of practice, recognising that many of today’s safety challenges—including violence, road trauma, mental health, climate resilience and digital harms—cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries. The result is a living ecosystem that supports collaboration before, during and after Safety 2026.
Convened by: National Action Group (NAG)
Focus
Purpose
The flagship Networking Zone where delegates, policymakers, civil society, communities and implementation partners work together to translate evidence into collective action. It serves as the home of the National Action Group and provides a focal point for discussions that cut across all technical themes.
Focus
Purpose
Ensuring that policies and programmes are shaped by the voices of those most affected and recognising recovery as an essential component of safer societies.
Focus
Purpose
Creating safer environments in which children and young people can learn, grow and lead.
Focus
Purpose
Exploring how safer transport systems and workplaces contribute to healthier communities and sustainable livelihoods.
Focus
Purpose
Demonstrating how the built environment and community partnerships can reduce violence and injury while strengthening resilience.
Focus
Purpose
Recognising that prevention begins long before violence or injury occurs by strengthening families and giving children the safest possible start in life.
Focus
Purpose
Addressing the social and structural determinants of violence while building stronger, more connected communities.
Focus
Purpose
Exploring the rapidly changing risks facing societies and identifying innovative, cross-sector responses that strengthen resilience.
| Networking Zone | Role in the Ecosystem |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu in Action | The integrator. Connects all themes through systems thinking, implementation, data, evidence and collective leadership. It is the engine that converts dialogue into action. |
| Lived Experience, Rehabilitation & Recovery | The human voice. Ensures that policies and interventions are informed by those most affected and reminds every other zone of the real-world impact of violence and injury. |
| Families, Children & Early Life | The foundation. Focuses on prevention at the earliest stages of life, recognising that strong families and healthy childhood development reduce future risks. |
| Child, Youth & Safe Schools | The next generation. Builds leadership, resilience and safe learning environments while empowering young people as partners in prevention. |
| Road Safety, Transport & Livelihoods | The mobility and economic system. Recognises that safe transport, decent work and sustainable livelihoods are essential to health, wellbeing and social development. |
| Safe Communities & Urban Design | The places where we live. Examines how neighbourhoods, public spaces, infrastructure and local governance shape everyday safety. |
| Violence Prevention, Crime & Social Cohesion | The social fabric. Addresses the structural, cultural and interpersonal drivers of violence while strengthening trust, cohesion and peaceful communities. |
| Emerging Harms & Resilience | The future lens. Anticipates new risks—from digital technologies to climate change—and explores innovative, cross-sector responses that strengthen resilience. |
Programme Streams (running throughout the day)
Format: Moderated Conversation (20 minutes)
Informal discussions between community members, practitioners and researchers exploring practical, community-led solutions to violence and injury prevention. Audience participation is encouraged.
Format: Panel Discussion (20–30 minutes)
Interactive panel discussions featuring diverse perspectives on emerging issues, encouraging debate and audience engagement around complex safety challenges.
Format: Personal Story (10–15 minutes)
Powerful first-hand accounts from survivors, families, caregivers and advocates, highlighting the human impact of violence and injury while inspiring empathy, resilience and action.
Format: Youth Presentation or Conversation (10–15 minutes)
Sessions designed and led by young people, showcasing youth leadership, innovation and ideas for creating safer communities.
Format: Demonstration (10 minutes)
Rapid demonstrations of new technologies, research findings, digital solutions, products or community innovations with the potential to improve safety and prevent injury.
Format: Interview & Audience Q&A (20 minutes)
Accessible conversations with leading local and international experts translating scientific evidence into practical insights for practitioners, policymakers and the public.
Format: Interview & Audience Q&A (20 minutes)
Interactive discussions with government leaders, municipal officials and policymakers exploring policy priorities, implementation challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
Format: Launch Event (10–15 minutes)
Launches of campaigns, partnerships, publications, community initiatives, declarations and collaborative projects aligned with the goals of Safety 2026.
Format: Performance (10–15 minutes)
Music, poetry, theatre, dance and other creative performances celebrating resilience, healing, social cohesion and the power of communities to create safer societies.
10 Declaration & Consensus Plan Conversations
Format: Facilitated Dialogue (20 minutes)
Open consultations inviting delegates, community members and partners to contribute ideas, priorities and commitments that will inform the Ubuntu Cape Town Declaration for a Safer Society.
III. UBUNTU MARKETPLACE
The Ubuntu Marketplace celebrates the contribution of civil society, community organisations and social enterprises to creating safer societies. Selected NGOs and community organisations will receive complimentary exhibition space to showcase their work, engage with delegates and the public, recruit partners, raise awareness and distribute or sell products that support their sustainability.
A reflective space where delegates and visitors can honour those whose lives have been lost or forever changed by violence and injury. The Wall of Remembrance serves as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community.
Within the global village the Networking Zones and the Ubuntu Stage are key contributors to the conference legacy outputs namely the Ubuntu Cape Town Global Declaration for a Safer World and the Safety 2026 National Consensus Plan for a Safer South Africa – here these two key documents will be shaped by the views of both delegates and the broader public. Located within the Global Village, they will bring together global delegates, community representatives, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, innovators, youth leaders, funders, and people with lived experience around critical themes in violence and injury prevention. These spaces will serve three interconnected purposes:
Networking Zones will provide opportunities for dialogue and engagement around the ideas and priorities that will inform the Ubuntu Cape Town Declaration. They will create spaces where diverse voices can contribute perspectives, identify priorities, and build support for collective action.
Networking Zones will bring together stakeholders form inside and outside the conference who may not normally engage with one another, helping to strengthen relationships across sectors, disciplines, regions, and communities.
Perhaps most importantly, Networking Zones will help establish the partnerships, implementation networks, and collaborative initiatives needed to carry the Ubuntu Cape Town Declaration beyond the conference and into practice.
In this way, the Global Village becomes far more than a conference feature. It becomes the living embodiment of Ubuntu—a place where evidence meets experience, partnerships become action and science serves society.
For more information on how you can exhibit or organise an activity in the Village, reach out to the conference secretary at info@worldsafety.co.za
CONTACTS
GENERAL QUERIES
Tel: +27 87 821 1109 / 012 110 4080
info@worldsafety.co.za