By Ijoo Bosco
A two-day capacity-building training for county peace committees commenced in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, to empower young people to mitigate conflict at the grassroots level.
Over 25 male and female representatives from all eight counties of the state, including Imehejek Administrative Area, are participating in the training.
Auxilio Odume, Director General of the State Ministry of Peacebuilding, commended Impact Relief and Development Organization for partnering with the state government to equip young people with essential skills for conflict reduction.
“This training is intended to provide a stepping stone for the youth to take the initiative in bringing peace to their communities. It will also help them develop policies to guide their efforts in reducing and mitigating conflict.”
Odume urged the participants to become ambassadors of peace, sharing their newfound knowledge and skills with their peers in their respective counties.
He encouraged them to be proactive and act as true peace instructors.
“You are not here by coincidence,” he said. “You are here to gain knowledge and use it to promote peace. Peace is needed, and you are the ones to deliver it.”
Joseph Amanya, Operations Officer at Impact Relief and Development Organization, challenged the county peace committee members to define their roles in promoting peace within their communities.
He urged them to become vigilant monitors and mediators, working to defuse tensions and prevent conflicts.
The two-day capacity-building training was organized by Impact Relief and Development Organization with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of South Sudan.