Greater Bahr El-Ghazal youth in peace conference

12 Feb 2013

Greater Bahr El-Ghazal youth in peace conference

11 February 2013 – Stressing the need to live together peacefully, civil society groups in Wau held a conference today for youth from the Greater Bahr El-Ghazal region.

About 120 youths from Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal and Warrap states attended the gathering, which was opened by Wau Diocese Bishop Rudolph Majak.

The Justice and Peace Commission in Wau, in collaborationwith the UNMISS Civil Affairs section in the state, organized the conference with funding from two non-governmental organisations, Trocaire and Cordaid.

Running under the theme "To get peace, you work for justice",topics at the conference included conflict management and resolution, rule of law and human rights.

"To be a peacemaker you must change, and to be a leader you have to be peacemaker," said Ms. Natalina Andrea Mabu, a representative from the Commission.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer Masmina Dominic made a presentation on peaceful co-existence, highlighting the importance of identifying and understanding conflicts as well as learning to live peacefully by solving disputes.

Achol Deng, a participant from Odungo, a youth drama group, said she would start with herself in becoming a peacemaker, followed by her neighbours and friends.

"We should have the heart of peaceful co-existence and ... forgiveness and avoid ... revenge," said another participant, Maselina Jervas.