The chairperson for Jur-River County Youth Union in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday appealed to the youth to refrain from spreading incitement that can disrupt public tranquility and lead to conflicts.
Moses Uchu Barjuok made the call during a youth innovation challenge and prevention of hate speech, propaganda, and disinformation in Udici Payam.
A similar program was conducted last month in Marial-Bai Payam by Hope Africa South Sudan, under the theme: “Culture of peace, powered by innovative youth.” The program, which fosters youth-led solutions to combat hate speech, propaganda, and disinformation, aims to enhance and preserve sustainable, peaceful coexistence among the inhabitants of Jur River County and their neighbors.
Uchu said he wants to see a Jur River County free of the pervasive issue of distorted information.
“Because we have witnessed the negative impacts of propaganda, rumors, and hate speech, we want them to be wept out of Jur-River County and Western Bahr el Ghazal State,” he stated. “The youth are always responsible for initiating every problem in the community, and it is their sole responsibility to address them amicably.”
Meanwhile, the project officer of Hope Africa South Sudan, Jacob Nhial Deng, lauded the youth innovators, saying the articles presented by the contestants were geared towards peacebuilding in the county.
“This is not the last chance, as for Hope Africa, the organization still has a few more months to run around Jur-River County,” he said. “We are looking forward to addressing issues in the targeted areas.”
For his part, the Director General in the State Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sports, John Elis Bandas, said his ministry will cooperate with and support youth empowerment activities in solving differences among the communities.
“This is a very unique and important program because it empowers youth to think positively about how to resolve differences,” he said. “Hope Africa South Sudan should continue with such projects because it is encouraging our youths to follow peaceful dialogue whenever differences emerge.”
The youth innovation challenge invites youth innovators to propose and develop ideas and solutions to address the root causes of hate speech, propaganda, and disinformation in Jur River County. A panel of judges then chooses the best proposals.
At the recent event, Achol Longar stood out as the female with 65 percent, John Mading won the male outstanding recognition with 72 percent, Christo Salva won the notable recognition with 70 percent, and Moses Uchu got a notable recognition of 69 percent.
Last month in Marial-Bai, freelance journalist James Deng Dimo was announced the winner with 100 percent, Achu Elizabeth had 80 percent, Ngeu Nelson 75 percent, and Edward Ngong, with 70 percent, won a group recognition.
The six-month project implemented by Hope Africa South Sudan is funded by UNDP and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). It seeks to empower the young people of Jur River County to become agents of peace by leveraging innovative ways of solving community challenges and promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.