First youth newspaper published in Sudan

July 1, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Minbar al-Shabab, the first youth newspaper in Sudan, was published on Saturday thanks to efforts ofthe United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Addressing a ceremony celebrating the publication of the newspaper, Sudanese Minister of State for Information Farah Ibrahim Agar expressed the government’s support to the press.

“We support every effort that strengthens the capacities of media and press professionals. It is the media and the press that echo the pulse of the nation and reflect its feelings, aspirations, custom and traditions,” Agar said.

In order to promote principles of good governance in Sudan, theUNDP launched a media training program for Sudanese youth.

Minbar al-Shabab is a monthly newspaper published by 50 Sudanese students who received a six-month UNDP training program.

(ST/Xinhua)