PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UNICEF, CIDA helping young Sudanese to make their voices heard
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudanese children, who met for two days in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, have called for the establishment of a mechanism to bridge the gap between policy makers and the youth with a view to making the voices of the youth heard.
The meeting, sponsored by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), focused on ways of enabling young Sudanese to become more actively involved in resolving community and other issues.
A press release from UNICEF on Monday said the meeting was attended by young people from three of Sudan’s 15 states.
“We are failing to harness the potential of the youth as there is no partnership between us and the elders,” said youth representative Nagham Hawash. "We hope this consultation marks the start of a real partnership between young people and the people in power.”
The workshop, held last week, was the first in a series of youth consultations organised under the Youth LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development) Project which is supported by the CIDA and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Sudanese Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Abdulhadi Bashir, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said: “Young people have the power to change and support change. Whoever is not giving you space is working against what the holy Prophet said many years ago.”
Also speaking at the event, UNICEF Country Representative Nils Kastberg, added: “Sudan is a young country. Youth make up one-third of the population of Sudan. If we are not listening to the young people and helping them reach their full potential, we are not investing in the future of the country.”
The Youth LEAD Project, launched earlier this year in three conflict-affected states of South Kordofan, South Darfur and Blue Nile, aims to help the youth, aged 10-24 years, become productive members of their communities and society, thereby reducing vulnerabilities.
Ms. Angela Mione, in charge of CIDA’s initiatives in Sudan, who spoke at the workshop, said that the four-year CIDA project would support establishment of youth-friendly spaces in selected conflict-affected localities, and contribute to strengthening youth networks and the development of demand-driven, youth-centred policies, strategies and services.
Highlighting the difficulties faced in the field, one participant, 22-year-old Hawa Mohamed Hasabala said that a mass exodus of young people had taken place from cities like Kadugli since conflict began in June this year.
“It is hard to convince youth to come back to their homes when the security situation is so tense and they have no jobs. But under this initiative, I am trying to convince them to return and speak in favour of peace and reconciliation,” said Hawa who is working with the youth ministry in the state and is one of the youth facilitators under the Youth LEAD Project.
“I hope we are able to bring the youth together in my state just like different people have come together here” she said.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 12Dec2011
The meeting, sponsored by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), focused on ways of enabling young Sudanese to become more actively involved in resolving community and other issues.
A press release from UNICEF on Monday said the meeting was attended by young people from three of Sudan’s 15 states.
“We are failing to harness the potential of the youth as there is no partnership between us and the elders,” said youth representative Nagham Hawash. "We hope this consultation marks the start of a real partnership between young people and the people in power.”
The workshop, held last week, was the first in a series of youth consultations organised under the Youth LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development) Project which is supported by the CIDA and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Sudanese Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Abdulhadi Bashir, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said: “Young people have the power to change and support change. Whoever is not giving you space is working against what the holy Prophet said many years ago.”
Also speaking at the event, UNICEF Country Representative Nils Kastberg, added: “Sudan is a young country. Youth make up one-third of the population of Sudan. If we are not listening to the young people and helping them reach their full potential, we are not investing in the future of the country.”
The Youth LEAD Project, launched earlier this year in three conflict-affected states of South Kordofan, South Darfur and Blue Nile, aims to help the youth, aged 10-24 years, become productive members of their communities and society, thereby reducing vulnerabilities.
Ms. Angela Mione, in charge of CIDA’s initiatives in Sudan, who spoke at the workshop, said that the four-year CIDA project would support establishment of youth-friendly spaces in selected conflict-affected localities, and contribute to strengthening youth networks and the development of demand-driven, youth-centred policies, strategies and services.
Highlighting the difficulties faced in the field, one participant, 22-year-old Hawa Mohamed Hasabala said that a mass exodus of young people had taken place from cities like Kadugli since conflict began in June this year.
“It is hard to convince youth to come back to their homes when the security situation is so tense and they have no jobs. But under this initiative, I am trying to convince them to return and speak in favour of peace and reconciliation,” said Hawa who is working with the youth ministry in the state and is one of the youth facilitators under the Youth LEAD Project.
“I hope we are able to bring the youth together in my state just like different people have come together here” she said.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 12Dec2011
