Great Lakes youth gather in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. Youth from 12 countries that form the Great Lakes Region have gathered in the city to learn about various issues relating to peacebuilding and security so as to be able to develop concrete ideas for programmatic interventions on youth, peace and security.

The international conference that kicked off on November 22 and 24, featuring 24 youth from the member states, among other things, will develop a regional action plan for 2024 based on the regional strategy.

Speaking on November 22, during the official opening of the President Regional Multifunctional Youth Forum on Peace and Security, Mr. Jacob Eyeru said that during the three days, youth will also identify regional gaps and opportunities, as well as gain a clear understanding of the current regional peacebuilding processes and the pathways.

“Again, the ability to identify cross-cutting interventions that will ensure gender equality, inclusivity, protect the environment, mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure the wellbeing of youth, including other cross-cutting issues that are clearly indicated in the five-year strategic plan,” he said.

For her part, representative of the United Nations Special Envoy on the Great Lakes Region, Ms. Maimouna Haidara, said that in the context of the region, young people have demonstrated, through their actions and resilience, that they remain essential forces for change.

“Despite the challenges they face, which expose them to risks, including unemployment, violence, especially against girls and young women, many young people nevertheless strive to maintain their commitment to peace,” she said.

On the other hand, first executive secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGI), Ms. Liberata Mulamula, said: “When I was appointed by the then 11 heads of state, I was given the responsibility to set up the institution, and the Dar es Salaam declaration was groundbreaking.”

She said: “The late Kofi Annan pleaded with the leaders in the region to find regional solutions to regional problems and to ensure that the commitment of never again becomes a reality.”

The conference is being organized by the Regional Multifunctional Youth Forum on Peace and Security (MYPEYFPAS), in collaboration with the United Nations Office to the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes (UNOSEGL), the African Union (AU), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

The goal of the conference is to empower youth to become active participants in peacebuilding and security efforts in the Great Lakes Region.

The conference will also provide youth with an opportunity to network with each other and share their experiences and ideas.

The conference is a valuable opportunity for youth in the Great Lakes Region to learn about peacebuilding and security, and to develop concrete ideas for programmatic interventions.

It is also an important step in promoting youth participation in peacebuilding and security efforts in the region.