Beyond dialogues: Youth drive the call for peace, decision-making inclusion

By Staff Writer

In a bid to build peaceful communities, the young people are emerging as powerful advocates for peace, security and inclusion in the decision-making process in Lakes state.

Conducted by Rumbek Youth and Sport Association (RYSA), thousands of young people, community members, local leaders and government officials in both Wulu and Rumbek East joined in a public discourse on youth peace, security and inclusion in the constitution-making process and representation in decision-making

The event provided a platform for open dialogue between young people and government representatives, reinforcing the message that sustainable peace can only be achieved when young people are meaningfully included in conversations to shape the country’s future.

Mary Piath, one of the active participants described the discourse as an eye-opening experience that inspired her to become more involved in conversation around leadership and youth representation.

“This engagement has shown me that our opinions matter as young people. I now understand that we have responsibility to participate in building peace and engage the leaderships whether state or county levels so that voices of young people especially young women and intellectuals, are represented in governance conversations,” she explained during the interview in Rumbek.

She appealed to the authorities to embrace youth participation in peace processes, constitutional-making and decision-making processes across different levels of governance in the area.  

The event conducted in Wulu and Rumbek East counties attracted over 2,000 participants, including government officials.

For his part, Agar Paul Meen, another participant said the engagement encouraged young people to become ambassadors of peace in their communities rather than allowing themselves to be drawn into violence

“Many young people whether here in Lakes state or in other areas want to contribute positively but they often lack opportunities to engage. This forum has encouraged us to work together, promote dialogues and support peaceful solutions to the challenging facing our communities and young people,” he explained during the campaign.

“We must drive the change as young people. It is time to engage the authorities and work closely for the common good,” he added.

The program was supported through funding of the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).

Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized that meaningful youth, inclusion extends beyond participation in meetings as the participants called for increased representation of young people in leadership positions and decision-making processes.

According to them, such practices were essential to building responsive and accountable governance.

Speaking during the event, Abass Mayiek Mayen, the Executive Director at RYSA, said the campaign was designed to empower young active contributors to development.

“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow as people always put it but they are leaders of today. They should be part and parcel of the conversations. Their voices must be heard in peace and security discussions and every level of decision,” he explained

“Through this kind of dialogue, we are creating space for youth to engage constructively and contribute to peaceful,”

He noted that the RYSA remains committed to promoting peaceful coexistence, civic participation and inclusive governance by equipping young people with knowledge and confidence to engage in public affairs.

The public discourse concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to champion peaceful coexistence, civic engagement and inclusive governance.