The South Sudanese government, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and local partner Hope Africa South Sudan (HASS) launched a youth peacebuilding initiative Tuesday in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
The launch coincided with a two-day youth peacebuilding workshop, where officials urged participants to spread messages of peace and reconciliation in their communities.
Pia Philip Michael, Undersecretary of South Sudan’s National Ministry of Peacebuilding, said the project aims to strengthen youth involvement in peace efforts.
“We have come to Aweil with our partners, UNESCO and Hope Africa South Sudan, to implement our Youth Leading Peacebuilding Project, funded by the U.N. Peacebuilding Fund,” Michael told Radio Tamazuj.
However, he did not disclose the project’s budget or duration.
Michael added that the initiative established a national youth peace and security strategy and local youth peace forums in several states, including Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
“We are training youth on reconciliation, peacebuilding, human rights and mediation to sustain these forums,” he said.
Rebecca Chaat, a project assistant with UNESCO’s Peacebuilding Fund, highlighted the program’s goal of empowering young people.
“The Youth Leading Peace project, funded by the Peacebuilding Fund, is implemented by UNESCO and UNFPA with local partners,” she said. “It aims to institutionalize youth participation in peacebuilding by supporting youth-led strategies for peace and security.”
Bol Makuach, team leader for HASS in Aweil, said the training strengthens the role of youth and women in peacebuilding.
“Our goal is to enhance the capacity of young people, especially women, to meaningfully engage in peace processes across South Sudan, particularly in Northern Bahr el Ghazal,” he said.