(PIBOR, GREATER PIBOR ADMINISTRATIVE AREA) – Fifty young women and men have taken part in a five day workshop in Pibor aimed at strengthening youth networks and expanding their role in peacebuilding, according to IOM South Sudan.
The workshop was organised by IOM South Sudan and UNESCO South Sudan in September, bringing together young people from across the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Twenty of the participants were women.
The workshop gave young people a space to share experiences, identify common priorities and discuss how they can contribute to peace in their communities.
Through dialogue, peer learning and joint problem solving, participants explored ways to strengthen youth networks, improve engagement with local authorities and create more opportunities for young people to take part in decision making and peacebuilding.
The workshop identified follow up actions, including developing a youth action plan, mapping youth networks across the area and strengthening engagement between young people and local authorities.
IOM and its partners will support these efforts to help sustain the momentum beyond the workshop.
Ballack Wilson Pioko, Chairperson of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area Youth Union, said peacebuilding starts with young people coming together, listening to one another and taking action.
“We should not wait for others to build peace for us. We have a responsibility to organise ourselves, work together and contribute to the future of our communities,” Pioko said.
For Pioko, the real impact will come from what happens next.
“Young people can play a much stronger role in building peace when we come together, listen to one another and agree on common priorities,” he said.
The work is being carried out under the Derin Salaam Project, which stands for Redefining Youth Spaces and Networks for Peace and Security in South Sudan.
The project is funded by the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support.
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