South Sudanese youth organize peace and leadership conference
By Julius N. Uma
December 15, 2010 (JUBA) – A three-day peace, leadership and change conference, organized by Southern Sudanese youth is scheduled to take place from December 20-22 in the regional capital Juba.
According to the organizers, the event at Nyakuron cultural center, will seek to unite all the youth from across southern Sudan and create a platform for dialogue among the various communities in the semi-autonomous region.
The ‘Sudanese Summit’ is a culmination of a similar event, which was held Nairobi, Kenya about a month ago. The Nairobi event attracted guest speakers such as Rev. Tom Prichard who co-founded the US-based Sudan Sunrise and Ishmael Beah, a renowned Sierra Leone writer and activist.
Nyadol Nyuon, one of the organizers of the conference told journalists on Tuesday that there is need to involve youth in national processes, such as the region’s independence referendum in January, as they will be the next generation of southern Sudanese leaders.
“The Sudanese summit aims to ensure that our young people, and fellow brothers and sisters are committed to peace and change through responsible action,” said Nyuon, who recently returned to South Sudan from the Diaspora to register for the referendum.
Ayuen Kur, co-Director of My Referendum for Freedom (MRF), lauded the Sudanese summit initiative, saying it is being held a time when the youth are expected to join the rest of the population participating in the referendum, which most observers believe will result in the south’s secession from the north.
The referendum, due on January 9, 2011 is a key part of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended over two decades of a bloody civil war between the north and south of the country.
Lam Tungwar, the Chairperson of Southern Artists Association (SSAA) further underscored the fundamental roles the youth play in nation-building processes and urged Southern Sudanese youths to consider the issue of national identity as being at the forefront of their destiny.
Next week’s conference, according to the organizers, will also provide an avenue for youth to increase their participation in decision-making and become agents of change.
As such, the conference will reportedly involve dialogues, music and arts to change hearts and minds to avoid a resurgence of conflict before and beyond the 2011 referendum.
SUDANESE SUMMIT
Started nearly a year ago, Sudanese summit is an initiative spearheaded by Sudanese artist Emmanuel Jal, Ger Duany, athlete Lopez Lomong, and David Vincent Nyuol, all of whom are former “Lost Boys”, who were displaced and had to walk for hundreds of miles to find safety during the civil war.
The summit is described as a dynamic symposium established to build grassroots leadership, strengthen Sudanese civil society, and support peace and stability in Sudan.
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Emmanuel Jal – We Want Peace Official Music Video feat Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Peter Gabriel
Jay Jordens
South Sudanese youth organize peace and leadership conference
From distant Australia, I wish to congratulate and applaud the young people of South Sudan for taking this very important and courageous initiative. Such spirit and strength is an inspiration for people around the world, particularly for young people who have so much to offer their communities but who often find themselves ‘outsiders’ in their communities. I wish you all the very best with your conference, and that the dialogue you have is listened to by all the people of Sudan, and around the world.
Deng E. Manyuon
South Sudanese youth organize peace and leadership conference
It is well-timed. All sort of mobilization for nation building process is supported at this crucial stage. We need to shape our future and destiney. We need to prove Northern intellects wrong about our capabilities to run the state.
Yes for self-determination.
Deng
Nhomlawda
South Sudanese youth organize peace and leadership conference
It is good, thanks to Emmanuel for taking his music career seriously. He started like he was joking in Kenya during war time but now we are seeing perfection and fruitful contribution. I saw him yesterday being interviewed from New York, USA and his message to the world was clear. South Sudan need peace and all able people of the world should support that. Good message and now you can see American achievers and Kofi Annan – Africa’s eminent person featured supporting peace in South Sudan, which is good for us.
We need all young people to be committed to their careers to develop our new country. If you are trained to build houses, teach, etc, do it to the best of your ability, if you are musician, use ur music for peace and awareness as Emmanuel is doing today. In deed all committed people of South Sudan will put their names into the history book.
Contribute positively and build this nation.
kaci-banno
South Sudanese youth organize peace and leadership conference
Dear friends
It is a good idea for south Sudanese youth to have peace conference because youths suppose to be the agents of the change. When I think of youth in South Sudan, seems like most of them didn’t know where the country is heading, As a youth we need to create the atmosphere of unity,dignity,self confidence and desire to work for change. Why I’m using this terms because during the last 21 civil war, youth in south Sudan has been living with the spirit of Superior of tribalism, division, hatred and propaganda of our tribe is better than that tribe. Let us leave such bad desires and work hard for common interest of our new nation South Sudan.
By: Kaci-Ma-banno