By James Innocent
Yei River County Youth in Central Equatoria State organized a one-day conference to cerebrate World International Youth Day.
The conference attracted around 600 participants from various payams of Yei, county officials, UNMISS representatives, IOM representatives, media representatives, and religious leaders.
During the session, the youth discussed ways of promoting peace and development in the county.
Chairman of Yei Youth Association, Johnson Poru underlined the importance of youth day in the world and praised the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative for supporting the conference.
Poru acknowledged the challenges faced by young people such as unemployment, insecurity, and environmental issues.
The youth leader urged the government to support the youth with vocational skills and engage them in economic activities.
He also called on the county government to support the youth by engaging them in economic activities.
Poru further called on nongovernmental organizations to develop projects to support the youth and called on the government to protect the youth from the numerous challenges they face.
Yei River County commissioner, Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa urged the youth to focus on their future with determination and development and encouraged them to engage in agriculture to reduce the rising cost of commodities.
In a related development, over 300 students from six secondary schools in the County honored the day by planting trees to slow climate change.
As a result of climate change, Yei has been experiencing lots of sunshine from the beginning of 2023 until April, which delayed crop planting in the first season.
An official with Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, Gaga Frank emphasized the importance of planting trees to combat global climate change and promote environmental conservation.
“This is a powerful day that reflects environmental conservation to fight against climate change as a focus to fight peace in the community and this time they are planting trees to convert climate change without cutting down trees,” he pointed.
A student from Emmanuel Model senior secondary school, Moses Andema emphasized the importance of peace in the country’s development and encouraged students and partners to continue preaching the message of peace.
He highlighted the importance of avoiding conflict in the community to improve the country’s development and save lives.