The Youth Empowerment Synergy

Following a successful project dubbed Young Peace Ambassadors Initiative aimed ensuring peace and non-violence in Alavanyo-Nkonya during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2008, the Generation for Peace Initiative was implemented by YES and local partners on the ground as an ambitious youth-led programme to mobilise the young generation and build their capacity to take active part in the process of ensuring conflict transformation, peace and development in Alavanyo-Nkonya.

The main activity under the Initiative was the hosting of a six-day camp meeting for young people hailing from Alavanyo and Nkonya in August, 2009. The event brought together 50 participants, aged between 12 and 18 years and committed to peace, 50% female, equally representing and hailing from Alavanyo and Nkonya.

The main outcomes of the camp meeting include:

•    A Youth Communiqué containing youth positions on relevant issues, plus an outline of proposed youth and stakeholder actions for sustaining peace and development in Alavanyo and Nkonya. This is first of its kind in the two areas.

•    Peace banners highlighting youth voices for peace and development. This is a memorable way for young people to send messages directly to their traditional leaders. These banners will be posted inside the palaces of the paramount chiefs as a reminder of the voices of youth.

•    A team of 50 young people trained and available as peace ambassadors whose actions and activities back home will positively influence not only their peers, but the larger communities at large.

•    New friendships, mutual respect and trust built among two groups of young people who hitherto have been indoctrinated with hatred and fear towards each other.

•    New partnerships built between major stakeholders; government, traditional leaders, civil society and youth towards long term efforts at bringing peace and development to Alavanyo and Nkonya.

•    A sustainable mechanism for engaging young people set in place. Hitherto, all the peace processes for Alavanyo and Nkonya have seen little or no participation of youth.

For further information, contact Head of Programmes:

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