Friday, September 20, 2013

Youth in Solidarity Forum in Juba, South Sudan

Below (centre) Minister H.E Dr Nadia Arup Dudi, Youth, Culture and Sport, (right) Madam Angelina Teny IofC South Sudan Chair, (left) Rev Bernard Oliya suwa, Acting Secretary General Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, (far left) Sheikh Juma of the Islamic council South SudanThe forum was officially opened on Monday 16 September by the South Sudanese Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr Nadia Arop Dudi. The five-day Forum opened with multi-faith prayers from Rev Bernard and Sheikh Juma. The Minister started by congratulating the IofC youth for organising the Forum as 'a giant step toward trust building'. Acknowledging the gap that exists between the past generations and today’s young people, the Minister urged the young people to use technology to build their country.

She also challenged those at the Forum to collaborate among themselves and with the South Sudanese diaspora to build solid reconciliation. This was the only way forward to make South Sudan a better place. She concluded by urging those present to take the movement that had started with the Peace Mobiliser's training and the Forum to the rural population as they really needed it to be the architects of their nation.  She pledged the support of her Ministry for such youth activities.

Workshop for Africa members during the inner development session which will run throughout the weekThe next day saw the introduction of the daily inner development sessions which were led by the Workshop for Africa team.  Participants studied how they could be the change they want to see in their country, ethical living and the practice of quiet time. Inner listening to the small still voice in us was echoed throughout the session. while the vision and mission of workshop for Africa was shared with the participants.

Dr Julia Aker Duany, head of Recruitment Ministry of Labour and Public Service South Sudan, speaking to participants during the forumThen came Dr Julia Aker Duany, a Government official, who took the participants through a session on ethical living and non-violent communication. Drawing on a wealth of experience, she took the participants through the 'how' of ethical living and the history, ideas and examples of non-violence. She then challenged the participants to live ethically and appreciate the good things that happen in their lives. Young people and women in particular had to be agents of peace in South Sudan and to avoid stereotyping. On this foundation national building could take place, she added.