About Wairimu Nderitu

Alice Wairimu Nderitu is the inaugural Civic Friendship Fellow at Assumption University https://www.assumption.edu/news-and-events/news/globally-renowned-peacebuilder-and-conflict-resolution-expert-alice-nderitu-appointed-civic-friendship-fellow-at-assumption-university.
She served previously as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide. She prioritized a people centered translation of the concept of genocide prevention as an international, regional and national norm to a practical reality implemented at the community level. 

This was backed by new policy documents including

  1.  Combating Holocaust and Genocide Denial: Protecting Survivors, Preserving Memory, and Promoting Prevention the first UN document acknowledging the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
  2. Guidance Note on Persons with Disabilities and Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
  3. Policy Guidance for Dialogue and Mediation in Situations at Risk of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity (2024)
  4. Preventing Ethnic Genocide: A Policy Guidance Note 
  5. Moving Forward Whilst Looking Back: Reflections on Effective Implementation of the 1948 Genocide Convention on the 75th Commemoration.
  6. Declaration of Sudanese Women on Implementing the Napoli Plan of Action ( 
  7. The Plan of Action for Traditional Leaders and Actors to Counter Hate Speech and Prevent Incitement to Violence that lead to Genocide (Abuja/ Muscat 2023) https://www.un.org/en/genocide-prevention/programmes
  8.  Comprehensive Training Manual on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) and its Implementation 

She led extensive work in the development and implementation of key policy documents, providing strategic direction and oversight throughout the process. Her efforts were instrumental in translating policy objectives into practical, effective guidance, strengthening organizational practice and governance including the operationalization of  

the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech through the following policy documents.

  1. The Plan of Action for Media Stakeholders in Preventing Hate Speech and Incitement to Violence that could lead to Genocide (2024)
  2. Plan Of Action for Women in Communities to Counter Hate Speech and Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Genocide and Related Crimes (War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity) (The Napoli, Plan of Action, 2023). 
  3. A Comprehensive Methodology for Monitoring Social Media to Address and Counter Online Hate Speech(2024).
  4.  A Conceptual Analysis of the Overlaps and Differences between Hate Speech, Misinformation and Disinformation 
  5. Addressing Hate Speech through Education: A Guide for Policy-Makers 
  6. Countering and Addressing Online Hate Speech: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners 
  7. The Game Plan: Implementing the Plan of Action to Counter Hate Speech through Engagement with Sport