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Oct 8th, 2004 - 06:01:57 |
Samuel Okomi
The Resolutions and Recommendations of South Sudan Youth Participation Agency (SSYPA) workshop of the Role of the Youth in Post-conflict Sudanese Society
March, 5th – 7th 2004
Havana Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.
Background:
In pursuit of its overall vision of seeking, potential avenues for increased involvement of and in ensuring effective interventions by all South Sudanese youths inside the New Sudan and in Diaspora; and
In making them to realistically comprehend their essential roles and responsibilities, so as to ascertain their full participation in overcoming the huge post-conflict challenges of rebuilding the war-ravaged South Sudan, by establishing a viable and formidable national youth platform, that shall identity, mobilize and properly utilize available resources for purposes of national rehabilitation, reconstruction and development; and
With the commendable support of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for international affairs, that funded and facilitated this historic forum, the first ever of its kind;
Over forty (40) participants representing various civil society youth organizations hailing from Bahr el Ghazal, Equatoria and upper Nile regions of the new Sudan and Diaspora, the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) and the SPLM Uganda Chapter Secretariat, took active part in attending the three-day workshop held at Havana Hotel in Kampala (Uganda) under the auspices of the South Sudan Youth Participation Agency (SSYPA), on the Role of Youths in Post-conflict Sudanese society.
Preamble:
Aware that, the history of our country depicts serious practices of marginalization and domination along sectarian parameters of Arabism and Islam, with the black African and Christian-animist South being the oppressed, youthful energies subsequently found employment in perpetration of destruction, more so, than for national development purposes; and
Conscious that, through-out the course of the liberation process, owing to poverty, ignorance and illiteracy, the youths often at times became victims of political manipulation and misrepresentation by selfish influential personalities rivaling for control of the vestiges of power; thus
Relationship between the youths and with each other apparently manifest mistrust, suspicion and lack of confidence in matters of their own unity, progress and cooperation, thereby depriving them of their inalienable right to self assertion in matters of national decision making and governance as an entity; and
Confident of the general desire by all the youths of South Sudan in wanting to take a centre-stage in the post-conflict rehabilitation of their war-ravaged country, after realizing their own potentials and energies in doing so, and with the overwhelming enthusiasm in ushering in a new dispensation of a peaceful, just and prosperous South Sudan thereafter;
Having gathered in this historic workshop in the spirit of oneness and brotherhood, and upon critically analyzing the issues relevant to our unity and cooperation, we the representatives of our various youth civil society organizations, hereby unanimously ratify the following resolutions and recommendations:
General Clause
In realizing that our organizations possess the commonality of objectives which aim at the empowerment of the South Sudanese youth so as to acquire knowledge of the untapped talents and energies that lay in them, hence investing them in transformation of entire society towards prosperity, we affirm that:
i) In order to strengthen our efforts and enhance our full involvement in the phase of the post-conflict rebuilding of our country the New Sudan, we have committed our organizations in working in partnership with the South Sudan Youth Participation Agency (SSYPA) and in greater cooperation with each other;
ii) The South Sudan Youth Participation Agency (SSYPA) has been established and fully supported by us to, coordinate and mobilize local and international resources, for integrated youth development programs as a civil society organization; and
iii) The leadership of the SPLM/A, in order to ensure youth participation among other national stakeholders in matters of national decision making and governance, should promptly convene a national youth congress that shall design and adopt modalities for the revampment and consolidation of the New Sudan Youth Association (NSYA) as a truly youth instrument.
iv) The good offices of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for international affairs had considerably been of help in support of youth initiatives, such as this fruitful workshop, should be requested to finance and facilitate a youth workshop on: “The Role of youth in Democracy and Good Governance.” During the Transitional Period’ Since the youths of South Sudan are the vanguard for the sustainability of the peace and democracy in the past-conflict Sudanese society.
POLITICAL ISSUES
IGAD Peace Process:
On issues connected to the IGAD Peace Process that strives to establish a realistic and durable comprehensive peace settlement to the Sudanese conflict, the workshop passed the following as recommendations;
a) That the youths of South Sudan fully support and acknowledge the IGAD forum as the only genuine and viable platform for mediation and resolution of the persistent Sudanese conflict;
b) Both parties to the conflict (SPLM and GoS) should talk in good faith so as to end the brutal war that has cost many lives of innocent youths.
c) Since the youths of South Sudan had often been in the forefront of the liberation struggle, we appeal to the SPLM leadership to include youth representation in the direct negotiations on it’s delegation; for it’s always the youths who are the custodians of any sustainable peace thereafter;
d) On the occasion there’s a final deadlock to the peace negotiations by the deliberate act of the Government of Sudan delegation the peace negotiation, aimed at intransigence and procrastination in concluding a final comprehensive peach package, the IGAD mediators and the observer countries should recommend and refer the case to the United Nations Security Council immediately;
e) The SPLM delegates to the IGAD peace negotiations should always seek to consult with and brief the majority of the South Sudanese masses, especially at the grass roots, on the peace process, so as to ensure participation of the civil society and support youth organizations in doing the same to youth constituencies;
f) The people of South Sudan, especially the youths should understand the importance of unity of purpose amongst themselves during the interim period and thereafter, by forgiving one another for whatever atrocities committed during the liberation process and respecting their diversities, for the sake of realizing their common destiny and rebuilding the New Sudan.
g) A clear political objective and broad-based government that accommodates divergent political interest and accountable to the peoples of South Sudan should be established so as to avoid lapse back into anarchy that becomes only advantageous to the common enemy and detrimental to all Southerners.
h) The SPLM leadership should encourage the international community to invest in the reconstruction of South Sudan in accordance with its development priorities and programs and in supporting youth organizations in carrying out an effective role in the reconstruction process.
i) The youths should endeavour to encourage the SPLM leadership to adopt a national youth development program and fully finance it’s activities by making recommendations towards a national youth policy; and
j) The international community, upon the final signing of a comprehensive peace settlement to the Sudanese conflict under the auspices of the United Nations, should establish a war tribunal on Sudan so as to try persons involved in gristly activities of war-crimes and crimes against humanity.
k) In realizing that, upon the signing of a final comprehensive peace agreement, the question of its sustainability remains the major concern to the youths of South Sudan, the workshop considered the following recommendations:
i) The immediate commencement of a South- to- South dialogue aimed at resolving the question of governance in South Sudan, by the calling of the SPLM leadership and support of the international community, to ensure broad-based inclusion of all Southern Political forces in government and nurture a sense of ownership of the peace initiative.
ii) The SPLM leadership should continue with the process of national reconciliation so as to enhance the re-integration of hitherto antagonistic political and military factions into the mainstream system.
iii) The establishment of a Referendum commission with sizeable youth representation in ensuring a free and fair plebiscite on the exercise of self- determination for the people of South Sudan.
iv) The SPLM leadership (government) should encourage full involvement of South Sudan youth organizations in carrying out massive civic education of the masses so as to comprehend by educating them of the complex issues associated with the referendum on self-determination and that the international community should support the youth in this regard.
v) That since the Northern government may consider interfering with the process of the referendum on the exercise of self-determination, the SPLM leadership should adopt mechanisms of monitoring the activities of dubious characters while in South Sudan for whatever reasons;
vi) That in order to curtail the likelihood of violations, the International Crisis Group (ICG) and other international human rights agencies should be encouraged to continue researching and documenting potential incidences of violations by the signed parties to the agreement and making their findings internally known; and
vii) There should be an international peace keeping force to be deployed under the mandate of the United Nations in-between the two armies (SPLM/A and Government of Sudan) on the North-South divide to ensure disengagement of forces and in supervising the referendum exercise on the right of self-determination.
Yet on the presence of an international peace keeping force in the south, against the back drop of experiences in Sierra Leone; where children mothered by Sierra Leone, where children mothered by Sierra Leonean young women and fathered by soldiers belonging to the peace-keeping mission were subsequently abandoned, the participants recommended that:
• Unnecessary inter-marriages with the peacekeepers and the youths (males or females) should be discouraged through civic education by youth organizations on it’s subsequent dangers e.g. burden of bringing up children without fathers.
• The peace-keepers should be subjected to regular HIV/AIDS testing during their stay and the youths involved in love affairs with them be encouraged to do the same and made aware of safe sexual intercourse by their families and peer groups.
Relations between the Youths and Elders:
Considerable revelations of disparity has been expressed by the participants in connection to the relations between the youths of South Sudan and their elderly counterparts, that can be described as that of patronage, where the youth is always subjected to manipulated following of the elderly. Such disparity of relations is attributable to cultural and political issues as stated categorically;
- Restrictive cultural sentiments that deprive the youths of making informed decisions in line with some negative cultural practices, that they consider out-dated to contemporary standards, yet are still coerced into abiding with; and
- That dispute the youths of South Sudan often been the wheels behind the liberation process, they are always excluded in matters of national decision-making, since they are habitually refereed to as “the leaders of tomorrow” a situation of suspense as tomorrow seemed not to be forth-coming at all, thus made to indefinitely wait, more so, when they are not being prepared for leadership and governance.
The workshop resolved the following as measures to nurture a mutual relations of coordinates among themselves and with the elders;
a) Continuous dialoguing between the youths and their elderly counterparts at the family and public levels, on cultural and political issues, so as to enhance the elders in understanding and acknowledging the important role of youths in decision-making process;
b) The youths should refrain from accepting positions of influence on offer for favours that do not promote their interests, more so than, on credentials (merits) and self-determination;
c) The youths should have respect for their elders and legally established leadership, while the latter should be accommodative of youth’s opinions and aspirations;
d) The youths should seek opportunities of asserting themselves into the structures of government by competing for them through democratic means, other than always complaining of exclusion and misrepresentation;
e) The youths should constitute themselves into popular youth bodies that shall promote their common interest and delink themselves from political organizations that are manipulative.
f) The youths should establish platforms for advocacy and awareness creation that shall articulate problems facing youths and entire society.
g) The youths should always through their various organizations continue to vigourously ensure prevalence of democracy, good governance and justice in South Sudan by being vigilant in defending them.
h) The elders and the SPLM leadership should ensure full participation of youths into cultural political structures of the South Sudanese settings as essential stakeholders in governance of society.
i) The SPLM leadership should understand the imperativeness of delegating and delving power to the youths as it empowers and delving power to the youths as it empowers the youths as South Sudan’s future leaders.
j) To youths should always strive to learn and acquire enough knowledge of leadership skills and keep themselves abreast with the contemporary political situation of their country and in understanding of international affairs.
k) Since most youths fall prey to manipulation and marginalization in society owing to poverty and over-dependency on others, the youths should always seek for opportunities of becoming economically empowered, hence self-reliant and independent in making choices in accordance to their conscience, and
l) The youth leaders should always practice transparency accountability and all qualities of good leadership in their youth organizations and later in other levels when in public offices.
ECONOMIC ISSUES
Economic domination conspicuously acted as a precipitative factor in Sudan’s conflict, owing to control of the country’s economic resources by a minority class, subsequently relegating the majority to levels of squatters in their own economy. Given such marginalization, the youths of South Sudan remain the most marginalized, as evident by the low levels of income earning, savings and investment. Thus, the workshop committed in finding avenues for youth economic empowerment, recommended the following measures;
Poverty:
a) The people’s of South Sudan have the inalienable right to benefit form whatever available national resources and revenues of their country for their development and prosperity.
b) The SPLM leadership (southern Government) should design a national poverty eradication program as part of an overall plan for the reconstruction of South Sudan;
c) Civil society youth organizations should lobby for support in order to embark on viable youth economic empowerment to enhance self-reliance through micro-economic/income generating activities.
d) The SPLM leadership should endeavour to establish micro-finance and credit institutions and ensure flexible policies in the qualification of loans allocation to benefit youth business-oriented individuals and organized groups;
e) Since land is an imperative factor in economic empowerment, the SPLM leadership (Southern Government) should enact legislations on land ownership, acquisition and utilization so as to benefit the youths, especially the young woman who at times is deprived of land ownership by restrictive cultures;
f) The young people of South Sudan should be encouraged by youth organizations, government and other civil society institutions to become creative in income generation initiatives through civic education and capacity-building trainings with the aim of equipping them with financial, technical and management knowledge in carrying out their businesses.
g) The youths of South Sudan should be encouraged by their youth organizations to constitute themselves into joint ventures/business associations, cooperative unions, that shall promote collective economic independence amount them in society;
h) The SPLM leadership should rehabilitate all necessary economic infrastructures e.g. roads, and ensure security along major economic routes, so as to enable the youths to freely conduct economic activities and have easy access to market centres;
i) Youth organizations should strive to educate the youths and inculcate in them the spirit of hard work and discourage all forms of laziness and extravagant life-styles through civic education on financial management;
j) The SPLM leadership (Southern Government), civic society organizations and youth associations should always work in partnership and cooperation in-order to find strategies for the economic emancipation of the impoverished youths;
k) Emphasis on vocational and agricultural education should be incorporated into the national education curriculum, as measures towards enhancing food security and self-reliance to those youths who do not have opportunities for academic studies, thus the SPLM leadership (Southern Government) should rehabilitate technical and vocational learning institutions and construct new ones.
Employment:
On the challenges of unemployment, the workshop resolved the following as recommendations:
a) The SPLM leadership through the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) should establish a clear national employment policy that provides favourable employment opportunities to professional youth individuals, fight corruption and bureaucracies in job allocation.
b) The Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) should endeavour to give priority of employment to south Sudanese nationals than aliens in non-governmental organizations working in the New Sudan, and only do so in occasions where local expertise is in short supply.
c) In order to ensure availability in the acquisition of local human resource for purposes of national rehabilitation, reconstruction and development, capacity building through training of Sudanese youths, should be given emphasis by the SPLM leadership and civil society organizations working in South Sudan during the transitional period since capacities (local) have been weakened due to war;
d) The youths of South Sudan should be educated by youth organizations about the importance of self-employment strategies.
e) Sexual abuse and restrictive cultures associated to the employment of the young woman should be seriously discouraged by law and through community civic education with the aim of ensuring participation of women in the economic growth of the country.
f) Sports and music should be promoted by the SPLM leadership and civil society youth organizations as income earning professions;
g) Youth civil society organizations should encourage the youths with professional skills and talents in the Diaspora to return to the New Sudan; to take active participation in the reconstruction of their country and in imparting their knowledge for the benefit of other youths back at home;
h) In the event of the allocation of benefit packages to former youth, SPLA combatants, civil society youth organizations should strive to provide them with strategic knowledge for saving and investment to enhance self-reliance in life after military service; and
i) War victims, who are mostly incapacitated, should be provided with basic income generation skills; hence become better instruments of production, other than remain as a burden to society.
SOCIAL ISSUES
I. Education and Sports:
Owing to persistent armed conflict in the country and displacement that saw many young people languishing in the dereliction of refuge, and as combatants in the wilderness of South Sudan without any opportunity of going to or accomplishing their education; illiteracy and ignorance has become major problems in the development of the youths. On such a background, the workshop arrived at these resolutions:
a) The SPLM Education Secretariat (southern Government) should immediately design and emergency education program as part of it’s plan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the south;
b) The SPLM leadership (South Government), civil society organizations and the international community should support youth organizations interested in renovating and constructing learning structures (schools) in South Sudan;
c) The youth organizations concerned with education activities should be supported in carrying out community sensitization campaigns on the change of attitudes towards education;
d) Youth organizations should lobby internationally for scholarships to benefit youths who cannot finance their further education at higher learning institutions; and ensure that the allocation of scholarships by the SPLM education authorities is done so on clear criteria for qualification for fair and equitable distribution;
e) In order to fight the high rate of illiteracy among its ranks and in the entire society, the youths of South Sudan through efforts of their youth organizations should carry out vigorous civic education of the local communities towards accepting adult-education; and strive to render service in adult-education centers through volunteer teaching;
f) The SPLM Education authority (Southern Government) should design a national policy on Universal Primary Education to ensure that every South Sudanese is equipped with basic knowledge of how to read and write;
g) Teaching of civics, cultural heritage preservation and job-oriented vocational subjects be incorporated into the national education curriculum by the designers and authorities of the curriculum development;
h) Call upon all local and international non-governmental organizations currently involved in the provision of education service to discourage polices of restricting students to specific fields of studies, to ensure career development based on choice and diversified expertise (capacities);
i) Extra-curriculum activities (sports, music, cultural dances) should be emphasized as important subjects in the psychological, physical and mental development of the youths and should be promoted as professional and income earning disciplines;
j) Alternative capacity – building training and education opportunities should be provided to school drop-outs, ex-combatants, and disadvantaged youths (as a result of the war) by the SPLM Education.
k) to enhance an increased number of the young woman in schools, the workshop recommended the following measures;
• Vigorous civic education of the local communities on the importance of educating the girl-child by the various youth organizations;
• Lobby for the discouragement of cultures that prohibit the education of the girl-child and family practices that over burden her,
• Promote affirmative action by government in the distribution/provision of educational opportunities to benefit the girl-child (young woman0, and
• The SPLM authority should enact legislations that encourage the girl-child education and punish its perpetrators.
l) Government, civil society and youth organizations, should strive to establish a Special Needs Education program to benefit the education of persons with disabilities;
m) In collaboration with government, international community and civil society and youth organizations should strive to establish teacher-training institutions, that shall train quality teachers, especially teachers already in schools;
n) Youth organizations should lobby to establish students’ unions that shall look into matters of their common interest and endeavour to reach out on those in other communities to share experience (ideas) in regards to their development;
o) Provisions of basic health facilities in schools should be made a priority by government, international community, civil society and youth organizations, i.e. latrines, clinics, clean water, e. t. c
p) With resources from government and non-government local and international organizations, youth associations should strive to establish recreational centers (youth educative clubs) and possibly include in them libraries, debating, in-door games and drama facilities and encourage positive competitions amongst them.
II. Health
On matters related to public and reproductive health and environmental conservation, the workshop after realizing that the youths of Sudan, owing to war and ignorance, have often been vulnerable to disease infections, resolved the following recommendations as measures to ensure a health community in South Sudan;
a) The SPLM Health authorities (Southern Government) should design a national policy in the provision of basic non-discriminatory and accessible health services, safe drinking water, sanitation and environmental purification, preventive health and nutritional education to all communities;
b) Fair distribution and allocation of health services to all rural and urban areas;
c) Youth organizations should engage in massive community health activities through sensitization campaigns, with special emphasis on hygiene and sanitation;
d) Youth organizations should be supported in carrying out activities related to provision of clean drinking water, that often require quite expensive implements in doing so;
e) The SPLM leadership, international community, civil society and youth organizations should strive to rehabilitate, reconstruct, and build health centers that due to war have been rendered almost non-existent in the whole South Sudan;
f) Youth organizations should engage in vigorous civic education campaigns to create awareness in the local communities on the importance of the preservation of the natural environment and should establish community based clubs; “for a peaceful environment determines a peaceful nation”,
g) The youths should advocate for a healthier lifestyle and discourage practices such as drug/tobacco addiction and alcohol abuse, prostitution and pornography etc. that do not only have adverse health risks, but also stain their reputation in society and the government should establish legislations that criminalize their practice;
h) High rate of death of mothers during child-bearing is reported amongst the young women (youths), thus, the government (SPLM), international community, civil society and youth organizations should provide antenatal services through Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs) to all settled communities;
i) A domestic relations legislation should be enacted by the government (SPLM) against child, adolescent and youth neglect by the families they live in, as a social welfare policy; youth organizations should advocate for the education of families on the rights of the mentioned;
j) Youth organizations and individuals should lobby with authorities of the government (SPLM) to adopt clear legislations on the operation of public social places, such as bars, discotheques, and cinemas renounced for teaching youths immoral behaviour.
III HIV/AIDS
On the threat of HIV/AIDS to humanity, South Sudan not being any exceptional case, more so at potential risk than any contemporary nation hardest hit, the workshop made the following observations and subsequent recommendations;
• That today in South Sudan, issues of sexuality remain a taboo and prohibited to talk about them in open public amongst most communities;
• Owing to a background of war, that has rendered most communities inaccessible to interventions on the creation of awareness on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and due to limited resources in the implementations of mitigating measures;
• Given the prospects for the repatriation and return of large Sudanese communities living hitherto in Diaspora as refugees...
•
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is likely to escalate and remains a huge challenge to the youth and entire nation of south Sudan in the post-conflict situation.
Recommendations:
a) that the SPLM health authorities should adopt a prompt national policy on the eradication of HIV/AIDS on the same proportions as it prosecuted the liberation struggle
b) the government (SPLM), International community and non- state civil society and youth organization should work in partnership and in supporting their complementary efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS;
c) youth organizations should carry out full fledged community sensitization and provide necessary information on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and advocate for safe staying and Voluntary Counseling and Testing services to peer groups;
d) youth organizations should embark on establishing community-based taskforces and lobby for support to be trained as anti-AIDS agents within their communities;
e) the youths through their youth organizations should educate cultural communities to discard cultural practices that promote the spread of HIV/AIDS e.g. facial scar5ifications, unprotected sex, family neglect, polygamy, early and forceful marriages that often render victims vulnerable;
f) the youths should be inspired to uphold a moral way of life in their communities and to discourage all forms of prostitution;
g) the international community and the government(SPLM) should financially support the establishment of a national youth mass media facility , thus the youths can address problems associated to their sexuality;
h) the government(SPLM) should adopt legislations that protect the youth against sexual harassment and implement punitive measures against culprits of such an offence.
CULTURAL ISSUES:
In line with cultural issues that affect youths and society in general, the workshops have these as recommendations:
a) the youths should encourage inter-marriages amongst themselves; to foster unity, friendship, and peaceful co-existence between their divergent ethnic communities;
b) the youths wherever they are resident, should establish cultural associations and fully participate in cultural activities that promote harmony amongst nationalities(tribes) and provide them a platform to learn and preserve the richness of their cultural heritage;
c) since culture is dynamic, detrimental cultural practices/beliefs that bring about animosities and conflicts should be discarded by the strong advocacy of youth initiatives;
d) so as to ensure a national identity and enhance a sense of common belonging, the SPLM leadership should look into resolving the question of establishing a national language for the South Sudanese nation-state;
e) youth organizations should sensitize local ethnic communities on the importance of the existence of unity in diversity in any nation-state and advocate for respect and tolerance to them;
f) parents should inspire their children(youths) to identify with their cultures and in turn respect other culture of other tribes not their own, so as, to build tolerance amongst the peoples of the New Sudan;
g) that though the payment of bride-price exhibits sense of appreciation and cements friendship between two families (communities),a standard and minimum bribe-price is supposedly to be established; for huge demand of bride-price limits some youths from getting married to the love of their own choice;
h) as a result of displacement, there’s a potential clash of cultures in post-conflict South Sudan, thus the returnees should be provided with cultural orientation in accordance with the stipulations of the Sudanese demands.
SECURITY ISSUES:
After properly and critically analyzing the post –conflict South Sudanese state, the participants saw security as the basis for the sustainability of the peace agreement, thus recommended:
I. Culture of violence:
That since the country had been embroiled in armed civil conflict for decades, a culture of violence subsequently has been inscribed into the psych and character of the South Sudanese people, which becomes much more disadvantaged to lovers of peace on the slightest provocation:
a) as many youths, especially former combatants , have grist experiences of war thus become traumatized, civil society and youth organizations should support the provision of trauma counseling and psycho-social disorders rehabilitation facilities for the benefit of such cases;
b) youth organizations should engage in peace education of local communities, and target youth combatants as peace agents, and making them to participate in the sensitization of their own communities on the importance of peace;
c) youth groups and civil society organizations should establish peace clubs within communities and carry out advocacy campaigns against literatures that glorify violence;
d) civil society and youth organizations should teach youths remaining in the SPLA(national army) the international instruments on fundamental human rights and the respect for basic human freedoms, and lobby that the SPLA leadership incorporate them as disciplines in military training centers;
e) the SPLM leadership (government) should enact legislations prohibiting show of violent films in public centers and discourage teenagers from getting exposed to them, as they always stimulate acts of violence in society;
f) the SPLM authorities(Southern Government) should enact legislations that severely punish unnecessary violence such as fighting in public places;
g) the youths should be encouraged and supported to join the police and other law enforcement agencies, so as to, guard law and order and maintain a peaceful society;
h) Youths individuals, groups and organizations should advocate for behavioral change among ex-combatants and servicing soldiers by sensitizing local communities on their basic …
i) Youth individuals, groups and organizations should advocate for behavioral change among ex-combatants and servicing soldiers by sensitizing local communities on their basic rights and freedoms and being vigilant in custody of them by resisting incidences of violations.
j) The local SPLA authorities should discourage unnecessary putting on of military fatigues (uniforms) by soldiers, unless otherwise, since it intensifies the military culture associated with recklessness (violence).
k) The SPLA authorities should adopt an emergency rehabilitation plan for former SPLA combatants as a measure to mitigate frustrations that often find expression in criminal e.g. armed robbery; and
l) Faith-based youth organizations should embark on chaplaincy and evangelization work in the military training centers, so as to groom a God-fearing national army.
II. Proliferation and Misuse of small arms and light weapons:
It has indeed become a major concern that the civil war has created an environment in south Sudan where the availability of fire-arms can be a pain stating initiative to establish how many there are in wrong-hands. In this line, sensing one of the biggest threats to the stability of a post-conflict South Sudanese society, the workshop made the following recommendations:
a) The SPLA authorities should immediately embark on the collection of firearms being in possession of the civilian population, and legislating a policy of registration of firearms.
b) Civil society and youth organizations should lobby with other stakeholders to fight against the misuse of fire-arms and report culprits to the relevant government authorities for possibilities of impoundment and punishment;
c) The SPLM authorities should severely discourage the cross-boarder proliferation and selling of fire-arms and punish those involved in this illicit trade;
d) Since there are a number of armed groups (militias) in south Sudan currently the SPLM authorities (Leadership), should endeavor to identify their numbers for [possible re-integration into the larger national army structure to avoid redundancy; and accord them equitable distribution of and fair treatment in terms of available benefits and remunerations; and
e) Clearly demarcated centers (encampments) should be identified for settlement of soldiers away from civilian settlements in order to avoid incidences of misunderstanding, and only allowed to come unarmed to civilian places.
III. Disarmament and demobilization:
As part of ensuring a peaceful and conflict-free South Sudan during the transitional period and after, the workshop tactically made the following recommendations:
a) In order to ensure an efficient national army that can protect the sustainability of the comprehensive peace agreement during the transitional period, the SPLM/A authorities should improve on maintenance of the SPLA soldier through provision of basic equipment and services (remunerations);
b) The SPLM/A leadership should carry out an immediate exercise of disarming all soldiers no longer of active military service, including armed civilians;
c) The international community should support the demobilization of child-soldiers and providing education opportunities to them, as well as incapacitated SPLA soldiers and providing them basic life-earning skills training;
d) As the case in Sierra Leone, where disarmament was frustrating in that a considerable number of former fighters refused to surrender their arms voluntarily; the international community and the SPLM/A authorities should adopt measures to encourage handing –in of arms at will, and encourage civil society and youth organizations to play an active persuading role;
e) Civil society and youth organizations should strive to provide trauma-counseling and psycho-social disorders rehabilitation services to ex-combatants (disarmed) prior to re-integration into civilian life; and facilitate capacity-building trainings to them so as to ensure self-reliance therein;
f) Civil society and youth organizations should encourage the involvement of disarmed (former) youth combatants in community reconstruction work; and educate them of the importance to form associations that economically empower them, so as to make them productive instruments of society; and lobby with government to give support;
g) The ex-combatants should be encouraged to portray a sense of remorse to the local communities for whatever atrocities having been committed by them during the liberation process; and local civilian communities educated to forgive them and accepting them back in their communities;
h) The SPLM/A leadership should make the youths and local communities to comprehend as to why some of them and their relatives were forcefully conscripted into joining the liberation process, and also apologize on behalf of the Movement for whatever wrong-doings were committed by it’s soldiers;
i) The SPLM leadership should strive to adopt alternative educational/training for disadvantaged former youth combatants who lost out on formal education as a result of the war, and in supporting civil society and youth organizations engaged in the provision of such service;
j) Government civil society and youth organizations should work in partnership on the question of de-mining of land and anti-personnel mines as it poses serious threats to youth and entire community, especially in the rural areas; and areas suspected of having them (mines) be identified and gazetted for de-mining;
k) In order to avoid a lapse back into instability, the SPLM authorities (government) should design a national youth recovery program and support youth development initiatives, since a disgruntled and frustrated youths are always victims of recruitment by forces of rebellion; and
l) That, in order to avoid retaliations by communities on those ex-SPLA and Government of Sudan soldiers who might have committed atrocities on them, the international community, civil society (youth) organizations should lobby with the government and the SPLM authority to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where perpetrators of war-crimes and crimes against human stand trial and made to apologize to their victims who need only an explanation after all.
IV. Cattle-rustling:
As cattle-rustling is a major practice amongst most pastoral communities of South Sudan that tend to undermine peaceful co-existence between them and with some sedentary ones, the participants recommended the following as measures to bring about harmony:
a) the SPLM leadership (government) and the international community should support an alternative development program for marginalized pastoral communities by providing basic services; schools, health and veterinary facilities, clean drinking water, etc;
b) Civil society and youth organizations should carry out community-based peace education program to cattle-rustling communities (tribes) with emphasis on human rights values; and especially target the youths since they are the most active in cattle-rustling;
c) Civil society and youth organizations should discourage cultures of communities that glorify cattle rustling through civic education.
d) The government (SPLM) should strive to establish a union of pastoralist communities that bring all cattle-rustling tribes together to resolve problems affecting their relations and youth organizations; and individuals hailing from such communities should be encouraged to spearhead campaigns towards this initiative;
e) The government, civil society and youth organizations should target pastoralist communities to get involved in farming of crops (Agriculture) a supplement to the economic existence that encourage permanent settlement;
f) Youth organizations should carry out massive and vigorous sensitization of youths of pastoral communities on the importance of school education (formal education);
g) The government (SPLM) should work in collaboration with governments of the neighboring states, civil society organizations and the international community to control the proliferation of small arms across the boarders; and
h) The SPLM authority (government) should embark on immediate mechanisms aimed at disarming the pastoral communities , thus ensure that law and order is maintained for peaceful co-existence;
Projects:
On possible post-conflict projects that the various youth organizations can embark on in collaboration with each other and through the south Sudan youth participation agency (SSYPA), the participants are identified amongst others the following:
- HIV/AIDS awareness
- Trauma counseling and psycho-social disorders rehabilitation
- Sports, Music and cultural activities
- Civic education on social welfare
- Community-based socio-economic reconstruction
- Democracy, good governance and the rule of law
- Girl-child education and empowerment
- Micro-financial programs
- Eradication of poverty and illiteracy
- Health, sanitation and environmental conservation education
- Peace education on conflict resolution
- Peace and reconciliation
- Leadership skills development programs
- Capacity building
- Advocacy and resource mobilization
- Increased youth participation in decision making and Governance processes
- Evangelization (Religious)
- Human rights campaigns
- Others
And the participants identified the following as sources of resources:
- Membership and subscriptions
- Revenues from available resources
- Donor and Government support
Oct 8th, 2004 - 04:37:29 |
Samuel Okomi
A BRIEF REPORT ON
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE – SUDAN
Day one,16/04/2004
A SPEECH DELIVERED TO SUDANESE YOUTH BY GYSD- SUDAN,
COUNTRY COODINATOR, SAMUEL OKOMI.
Dear fellow youth
It is our duty to make Sudan the way we want it to be. To participate in such a very big global event does a lot in marketing and placing Sudan in the global context. Our Nation is the wealthiest and largest in Africa. But today Sudan is portrayed globally as a bloodiest Nation in the bloodiest century.
GYSD-Sudan reminds us today of the role, youth have played in bringing our warring leaders to the table of negotiation. It also reminds us today that youth should lay down their arms to seek for non-violent means through dialogue. Lets be a force for positive change as our motto for GYSD-Sudan states and GYSD wishes you a prosperous peaceful Sudan 2004 and beyond.
Basically there are three regions in Southern Sudan i.e. Equatoria, Upper Nile and Bahr-el-gazal. GYSD-Sudan had organized a football match between the regions. The first winner was Upper- Nile and was awarded GYSD- CUP worth 1000USD. The second winner was Equatoria which was awarded 500USD. So the youth of Sudan have already initiated GYSD-football Cup which will be played and contested for every year!!!!
Day two, 17th- April- 2004.
Thousands of youth from different parts of Sudan campaigned for girl’s child education by counseling and educating their parents about the need to educate girls. The reason for this campaign was to remove perceptions from the community that girls are meant to be kept at home and reserved as family asset for gaining wealth through marriage. Infect in most parts of Sudan, if a man wants to marry, he must have at least not less than 50 cows.
The GYSD-Sudan coordinator Mr. Samuel Okomi met some village leaders and the communities around. He told them the need to educate girls. The response was that if they send their daughters to school automatically they will become prostitutes which will force them from losing their wealth. However as they were convinced little about girl child education, and that they will attempt to commit suicide to contribute 40 girls from the village to test if they can not betray the community by becoming prostitutes.
Day three, 18th –April-2004.
Cultural dances from different tribes, concerts and speeches on the role of youth in post-conflict Sudan. The cultural dances were performed in honor of our two female and male heroes of the year namely 1- Napoleon Adok 2- Unice Amer. The awards were sponsored by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).
The two heroes expressed their gratitude’s because they have never realized that they were doing something positive in a society. But today the GYSD has reminded and encouraged them to do more things. They promised not to forget the smile GYSD had put on their faces.
Compiled by,
Alfred Wol Malith
Communication officer-GYSD Sudan.
Oct 8th, 2004 - 04:34:15 |
Samuel Okomi
A WORKSHOP REPORT ON YOUTH DIALOGUE
SOUTH SUDANESE YOUTH UNDER SPLM/A FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1983 MET WITH THE
NORTH SUDANESE YOUTH UNDER GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN
FROM 24-30TH-MAY-2004
ORGANIZERS: (1) SOUTHERN SUDAN YOUTH PARTICIPATION
(SSYPA-NETWORK) representing SPLM/A youth
(2) NILE PEACE VOYAGE representing youth from
Government of Sudan territory
SPONSORS : NORWEGIAN CHURCH AID, CHRISTIAN AID & NDI
Executive Summary
1.1 Background
The Sudanese Youth Peace Workshop under the theme “Youth can make a Difference” held in Nairobi from May 24th to 27th was the culmination of a series of consultations - first among Youth Groups in the North, and then with Youth Groups from the SPLA held areas.
1.2 Preparatory work
Originally focusing on the Nile Peace Voyage (NPV) as a viable basis for building Trust and Peace among Communities, the Workshop was pegged on the following 7 pillars:
1) The Concept of the Nile Peace Voyage Sudanese Youth initiative and sought:
• To help the participants know the concept
• To encourage the participants to develop it and contribute to it
• To work together to make it a reality
2) An agreed upon document for the NPV initiative and project and sought to:
• Provide a forum for the participants to contribute in building the documents, which should contain a plan of action, time frames and budgets
3) Promoting, expanding and strengthening dialogue among the Sudanese
Youth and sought to offer:
• A Forum for getting youth together
• Conducive environment for knowing each other
• Opportunity for confidence and trust building
• Opportunity for identifying the challenges that are facing youth
• Time for looking into the roles of youth in post conflict Sudan
4) Identifying necessary skills to support youth work and role in post conflict Sudan and sought to provide the opportunity for:
• Understanding peace building
• Promoting Human rights
• Promoting access to knowledge and resources
• Community empowerment and organizational building ……etc
5) Structures and scope and sought to promote:
• Agreements for effective coordination of the activities
• Identification and development of committees to design the NPV interventions.
6) Communication strategies and sought to offer guideline to enable participants:
• Agree on the modes, status and frequency of communications
7) Participants (Sudanese Youth) in the workshop and proposed that:
• The participants should be members of the civil society and /or
Youth organizations - CBOs or NGOs, aged between 18 and 36 years.
• Gender Balance and Geographical representation must be respected
1.3 Participation
Participants were expected from both the Government Of Sudan (GOS) and the SPLM/A held areas in the following categories and proportions:
1. Organizers and supporters for the NPV:
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Christian Aid (CA) Nairobi and Khartoum representatives
2. NPV from Khartoum
• Between 12 and 15 members
3. South Sudan SPLM/A held areas (liberated areas):
• Regional youth bodies (15)
• National youth groups (5)
• Nuba Mountain (1)
• Southern Blue Nile (1)
• Hamashkoreeb (1)
4. Others:
• New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) (1)
• SWAN (1)
• Super Aid (1)
• Dry Land Pastoralists Mission
5. Observers:
• GOS and SPLM/A Representatives.
• International community representatives:
o Embassies
o UN
o Ingo’s
• Media
• The youth of CMN representative
• Kenya Government representatives
1.4 Facilitation
Two facilitators identified among many and agreed upon were:
1) Mrs. Rebecca Okwaci
2) Mr. Abdulrahman Wandati
1.5 Conclusion
The Workshop opened the door and set the ground for continued efforts to build trust between the Youths of Sudan. The Youth shared their experiences and aspirations and used the Workshop to improve interpersonal relations. The Nile Peace Voyage was understood and accepted as a viable mechanism for peace building – especially among the Youth. The need for further dialogue and Networking between the Youth from the two divides in search of an effective coordination mechanism was underscored. The Youth from the South undertook to expand the participation and support base for the Nile peace Voyage in the South by sharing information with the groups that did not attend the Workshop.
1.6 Recommendations
1. In view of the progress made during the Workshop, it is recommended
that a follow up workshop bringing together the same participants be considered and held as soon as possible.
2. It is recommended that even as the said Workshop is awaited, the Youth
make use of the contacts built during the Workshop to benefit form each other.
2.0 Aims and objectives
2.1 Aims
The Workshop was held with one Aim: To create a forum for sharing of experiences and aspirations for Sudanese youth.
2.2 Objectives
The following are the four Objectives under which the Workshop was held:
1. To enable youth from different parts of Sudan share their experiences and
aspirations.
2. To facilitate youth’s vision of Sudan.
3. To determine the Role of workshop participants in achieving the vision
4. To agree on a Plan of Action for either or all of the following:
• Short term
• Mid term
• Long term
2.3 Output
The main output expected from the Workshop was the foundation of a mechanism for equitable participation for the Youth of Sudan. The sub-output was the identification by the participants of the common vision for Sudan.
2.4 Terms of reference
The facilitators were retained under the following Terms of Reference:
1. Work as a Team of Co-Facilitators
2. Attend preparatory Meetings – at least for two days
3. Facilitate the Workshop for its entire duration of 4 days (May 24th –27th).
4. Guide the Workshop towards the set Objectives
5. Produce the final Workshop Report
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Design
Three methodologies were adopted to achieve the objectives. These were:
1. Plenary discussions which included:
a. Presentations by Guest speakers
2. Group work
3. Field trip
3.2 Implementation
3.2.1 Strategies
The Strategies employed included the following:
1. Development and negotiation of the Programme for each day with the
Participants
2. Careful selection of Themes and Topics to be covered by the Guest Speakers,
who included:
i. National Democratic Institute (NDI)
ii. COPA
iii. Jeremy Brickhill
iv. Per
v. Waleed Musa
The Topics presented included:
1) Capacity building – presented by Thor of NDI
2) Reconciliation for Sudan (COPA)
3) The impacts of the Sudanese conflicts on the Sudanese youth by
Per who stood in for COPA .
4) The Challenges facing Sudanese youth and the opportunities for Sudanese youth by (Waleed Musa)
5) The Sudanese Peace Process and the Recovery Programs for the post conflict Sudan by (Jeremy Brickhill)
6) The NPV project and the NPV initiative presented by the Nile Peace Voyage representatives from Khartoum
7) The way forward for the first North South Youth workshop – plenary discussions and negotiations
3.2.2 Approach
The Workshop was run on democratic principles that saw the participants establish their Administrative Authority, Workshop norms and expectations in Plenary . The arrangement of the hall and general facilitation of the Workshop was informal but respectful. The Facilitators used both similes and parables to drive their points home. This seemed to go down quite well with the participants .
3.2.3 Environment (Venue)
The choice of the KCB Centre as the venue of the Workshop may have been circumstantial (since the Workshop was first planned to take place in Naivasha), but it was an ideal location for two reasons:
• Symbolism – part of the negotiations in the Sudanese Peace Process had taken place there.
• Cultural Sensitivities – no major complaints were recorded from the participants about service and general treatment from the Staff of the Centre. This could be attributed to the lack of such complaints owing to the staff’s previous encounter with Sudanese Delegations.
3.2.4 Participants
More shall be said about the participants under the item “challenges”. Suffice it to say that the participants were a very good group and the Facilitators found working with them very refreshing and encouraging. In many instances the participants lent their youth enthusiasm to the proceedings of the Workshop and kept alive the hope of working together between the youth from the two sides of Sudan.
3.2.5 Timing
The holding of the Workshop at a time when the Peace deal between the GOS and SPLM/A was most likely to happen presented even more opportunity for the participants to develop a National outlook to the future.
3.2.6 The Budget and Logistics
4.0 Findings
A feeling of mistrust and reluctance to embrace each other pervaded during all the four days of the Workshop. This however was only visible when attempts were made to reach some common decision on a particular subject. Two issues defined this feeling:
• The Nile Peace Voyage as an Initiative and as a Project
• The endorsement of SYPA as a focal point for the South in respect of the Nile Peace Voyage project.
4.1 Causes
1. Misunderstanding and/or mistrust by certain Youth from the South of the NPV - what it represented and the suitability of its structures.
a. Contacts had been established between Youth Groups in the North with other groups from the South. Based on those preliminary contacts, certain perceptions had been conveyed and some assumptions made.
2. Reception and management of information regarding the Nile Peace voyage and the Workshop.
a. For example, a number of Youth Groups agreed upon during the preparatory stages of this Workshop did not attend in what was felt to be communication breakdown
3. Sufficient time for the Workshop.
a. The four days planned for the Workshop proved to be insufficient even when some sessions were dragged on to past Midnight.
5.0 Challenges
5.1 Long distance mobilization and planning
Though a number of trips and face-to-face meetings took place during the planning stage of the Workshop, a substantial part of the planning and mobilization depended on long distance telephoning and electronic mail communication. That the Workshop took place and is even rated successful is testimony to the commitment and sincerity of all those charged with seeing it through.
5.2 Multiple party organization
Focused on inclusivity (inclusiveness)? The preparation of this workshop was undertaken by a number of Organizations. This itself required constant and up to date information transfer between the Parties. Indeed it is at this point that the question of membership, hierarchy and power become prominent.
5.3 Multiple expectations
The Participants expectations could be clustered under 4 main themes:
1. Sustainable Relations:
• Unity, networking, Building bridges, Developing trust
2. Possibilities of working together:
• Have a common understanding of the Nile Peace Voyage
3. Sincere engagement:
• Thorough negotiations between north and south with open heart, More dialogue between youth in north and south, Make new friends
4. Control the future:
• Have a common vision and Plan of Action
The four Objectives developed after the expectations and negotiated with the Participants helped the participants meet their expectations to a higher degree.
5.4 Participants – (Strangers to one another)
Many of the participants from the two sides had never met before. Most of them knew only how to relate to the ‘other’ through stereotyping. The adoption of the principle of equality and the general ‘free’ atmosphere of the Workshop helped provide the necessary background for respect and friendship. Indeed the formation of the three Workshop groups of:
• ‘Nile Star’,
• ‘Juba Club’ and
• ‘Changes’ with the membership of each group being that of the Youth
from both the North and the South helped develop a team spirit not based on the political divides that had defined the previous relations of the participants.
5.5 Other contending interests
The Naivasha Peace Process and the need for the participants to witness the historic occasion also posed a challenge to the Workshop. The resolution by both the facilitator and the Participants to work late into the night upon the participants’ return from Naivasha and the subsequent decision to interface Naivasha into the Workshop resolved the challenge.
5.6 Time-keeping
Perhaps the greatest challenge was time keeping by the participants. The Facilitators explained this as the demonstration of the need for the participants to continue meeting and sharing - especially outside the formal parameters of the Workshop.
6.0 Conclusions
The First Cross line Workshop held in Nairobi with the participation of Sudanese Youth from both the North and the South was a success. It not only tested the resoluteness of the Youth from these two divides but gave them the opportunity to focus on the possible as opposed to history. It contributed to the hope among the Youth that is the requisite condition for the sustainable peace that the Sudanese political leaders have written history for.
Given the years of mistrust preceding the Workshop, all the challenges are negligible and all those involved with the organization of the Workshop including those who did finally attend, as participants deserve respect and congratulation. In their small way, they have contributed to the making of long-term peace in the Sudan – and perhaps in the region as well.
As a way forward the Workshop did agree as follows:
• On the Nile Peace Voyage
1. That the concept of the Nile Peace Voyage (presented to the Workshop by Youth from Khartoum) has been understood by the participants representing Youth Organizations from the South.
i. The said participants undertake to go for wider consultations with the various youth groups in the south
2. That both representatives from the North and South agree to maintain dialogue amongst themselves
3. That every Sudanese youth entity has a right to join or terminate membership of the NPV.
4. That Representatives from the South have resolved to go back for further and wider consultations and shall keep in touch with the NPV Committee through SSYPA.
5. The participants from the South will identify and open coordination body that will work in consultation with the Nile Peace Voyage to achieve the following:-
i. Identify the focal point of the project in the South.
ii. Integrating other interested groups in the NPV
iii. Look for possibilities for organizing second workshop in Khartoum
‘YOUTH CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE'!
7.0 Recommendations
It is recommended as follows:
• that a follow up workshop, bringing together the same participants be considered and held as soon as possible.
• that even as the said Workshop is awaited, the Youth make use of the contacts built during the Workshop to benefit form each other.
8.0 List of Annexes
1. Annex 1. Workshop Programme
2. Annexe 2 excerpts of Thor’s paper
3. Annexe 3 excerpts of Per’s presentation
4. Annexe 4 excerpts of Waleed’s presentation
5. Annexe 5 excerpts of Jeremy’s presentation
6. Annexe 6 for excerpts from the presentation on the Nile Peace Voyage
7. Annexe 7 the Workshop Norms, Expectations and the list of activities and
persons responsible
8. Annexe 8 Sharing of Experiences and Expectations
9. Annexe 9 Steps to building capacities for Organizations
10. Annexe 10 Participants’ recap of Naivasha
Annex 1
DAY 2
Time Activities
8.00 – 8.15 Devotion
Recap of day 1
House keeping
8.15 – 9.00 Framing experiences and aspirations
9.00 – 11.00 Challenges facing the youth in Sudan and the opportunities
11.00 – 11.15 TEA BREAK
11.15 – 1.00 Experiences and aspirations
Collective visions
Impact of Sudanese conflict on youth
1.00 – 2.00 LUNCH & PRAYER
2.00 – 3.00 The youth vision of Sudan
3.00 – 4.00 Steps towards working together
4.00 – 4.15 TEA BREAK
4.15 – 5.00 Open forum
5.00 Sports
7.00 Dinner
8.30 Culture space
DAY 3
Time Activities
8.00 –8.15 Devotion
Recap of day 2
House keeping
8.15 – 11.00 Being, Doing and Relationships
11.00 -
NAIVASHA
DAY 4
Time Activities
8.00 –8.15 Devotion
Recap of day 2
House keeping
8.15 – 9.00 Steps towards working together
9.00 – 10.00 We, our tasks and our stakeholders
10.00 – 10.15 TEA BREAK
10.15 – 11.00 Reconciliation and the role of Sudanese youth
11.00 – 1.00 Critical signposts
1.00 – 2.00 LUNCH BREAK
2.00 – 3.00 Action planning
3.00 – 4.00 The Sudanese peace process and the recovery programs
4.00 – 4.15 TEA BREAK
4.15 – 5.00 WAY FORWARD
Annex 2
NDI PRESENTATION – CAPACITY BUILDING
14 steps in trust and confidence, building for dialogue and cooperation
• Signposts/Indicators – to help in achieving the goal of the group or groups and help you make progress
Coming together creates opportunities
After coming together, sharing – expectations, fear, information
1. We are all different. This is an opportunity for success or failure
2. Create a neutral meeting point (s) including a neutral facilitator if needed.
3. Get to know each other better through sharing expectations, hopes, strengths, opportunities, fears, and threats. Listen with an open mind and try to understand. Take the time needed.
4. Be inclusive, open, transparent and honest (no hidden agendas or short cuts), building on mutual respect and tolerance.
5. Establish common objectives and define aim of cooperation. Identify what is included in this cooperation and what is outside the cooperation.
6. Take joint ownership of the process.
7. Willingness to contribute resources to a common cause.
8. Create space for negotiations and maneuvering and be ready and willing to build consensus and make compromises when needed. Remember the 5C's (communication – consultation – cooperation – consensus – compromise)
9. Be focused on issues and not personalities etc.
10. Develop a strategy/ plan of action and implementation mechanism (including a timeline and responsibilities). Take the time needed to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of any agreement reached upon.
11. Develop a joint structure
12. Create channels of communications among the leaders, the different partners and filter this down to all levels (being all inclusive). Create internal awareness and understanding of process to ensure buy inn from your support base.
13. Implement dispute resolution mechanisms, using an honest broker when dispute arise is needed.
14. Create a win – win situation for all the partners.
LEARNING POINTS
1. Opportunity in differences
2. Signposts and instructions are to tools of life
3. Coming together/meeting creates the opportunities
4. You only begin sharing when you came together
a. Listen to each other
b. Take the time you need to try and understand each other
c. Be open and transparent of each other
d. Practice respect and tolerance among your selves
There are no shortcuts to knowing each other and working together.
5Cs that make a difference for cooperation;
1. Communication
2. Consultation
3. Cooperation for collaboration
4. Consensus - every time you build consensus it makes you strong
5. Compromise – give and take; Put your self in the others shoes in order to
understand them. Making a compromise is not showing weakness – making compromise shows strength.
Building consensus and making compromise is only possible when you
focus on issues and not personality.
A plan of action is important for cooperation
A mechanism is necessary for any plans success
• Take time to make sure that we all understand the plan.
It is much easier to come up with a structure for an organization
than a network
Annex 3
RECONCILIATION AND THE ROLE OF SUDANESE YOUTH - PER
INTRODUCTION AND REFLECTION IN THE SUDAN YOUTH WORKSHOP
What do we mean when using the word reconciliation?
What can we say is that reconciliation is a process of many dimensions – political, social, economic and religious?
Reconciliation a widely used word. What word comes to your mind when you hear the word reconciliation?
forgiveness
resolving conflict/making up
healing
coming back together
forgive and forget
being human
ironing out differences
peace
beginning a new chapter
These words need to be transformed into action, into change or relationships attitudes and constructive coexistence.
Reconciliation is a deeply religious word, a theological term. It has three aspects or levels
reconciliation; God - mankind
reconciliation; man – man
reconciliation; man & creation
In Christian tradition believe there has been reconciliation between man and God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is therefore a responsibility from God. Today we are looking at the second point, reconciliation between people, individuals, groups –relationships that have been broken, distorted, that need to be healed.
Reconciliation: – man – man
It is claimed that religion is the cause of all divisions in society today. They say religion is the root of all fighting, violence and enmity in the world. They give a rich arsenal of arguments. Going back to the crusades, through all these years up to our own time; Protestants against Catholics, Shia against Sunni, the white in South Africa against the Blacks, using the Bible as the source of thinking and actions. Muslims against Christians like these days in Nigeria and through decades in Sudan. For this reason some say let us do away with religion! These examples are distorted religions – and there is a lot of it (thin religion and thick religion).
But we know that faith in God can be the strongest driving force in the longing for peace and the longing for reconciliation and forgiveness. Our challenge is to activate that force and to use it for the well being of our fellowmen – and women.
Before we start our further exploration, let me point that our starting point should be how our politicians or our church leaders should go about the issue, but lets start with ourselves.
To venture into a process of reconciliation, we would know that it takes WILLINGNESS, COURAGE AND PERSEVARANCE.
So are we willing?
In 1988 I was for the first time in South Africa. The government tried in their last phase of efforts to uphold the Apartheid rule. I was in Cape Town, in the Methodist church in the center of town – a big memorial service for Hector Petersen, the boy killed in 1976 uprising – his picture appeared on the pages of newspapers all over the world. Describe what happened….
My friend: you know Per, the only way these people can be made to understand is a bullet through their head!!
Eight years latter, I met him again, this time in Johannesburg. He was then Secretary of one of the most important commissions in the Truth and Reconciliation system. What happened? He had changed his mind – he was willing to work with the forces in SA that wanted a new beginning – a new relationship with people he had hated.
Reconciliation can be very personal thing. We should examine ourselves and ask if we have some relationships in our families, among friends, colleagues that need to be reconciled, healed. Are we willing to, do we have the courage to initiate a process to take action toward reconciliation on the personal level? If not how can we believe that we will be of any use in a process involving the society, the tribes or political opponents?
Reconciliation process has been going on in many parts of the world, some with success, some not. In Africa we are reminded of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We can all learn from what happened there. They could easily have suggested a “Truth and Revenge Commission”, but they knew where that would lead them. It was not an easy task – it is still debated if they chose the right way of handling issues, but it did create a chance for victims to come forward and tell their stories – it did create an opportunity for perpetrators to tell the truth of what happened – some of them apologized to the victims and asked for forgiveness. Many experienced that the words of the Bible “The Truth shall set you free” became a reality. But the talking had to be followed by actions! I will not go more into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa – although I had the opportunity of following this process from our home in Botswana, just across the border to South Africa. Tomorrow you will have a SA speaker who can say more about this if you wish.
I could mention, since I am representing NCA the organization was established in 1947 to send emergency assistance to Germany – after the war then German Soldiers occupied Norway and killed so many Norwegians through the five years of war. The victims were asked to give help to the suffering of the people in Germany – this was action for reconciliation in their societies. This could be based on:
Persevering memories
need for truth
need for punitive justice
need for acknowledgement
role of forgiveness
primacy of hope
Before I go into some of the important elements for Reconciliation, let me point out that:
reconciliation is a process as well as a product
reconciliation is linked to peace
• reconciliation is an important element of co-existence
• reconciliation is individual as well as systematic
The following are vital. In many ways they are linked to each other.
RECONCILIATION AND FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is a gift that cannot be demanded
Forgiveness is not cheap
Should there be condition for forgiveness? Repentance
• Forgiveness does not mean forget
• Forgiveness as a means of overcoming hatred
RECONCILIATION AND JUSTICE
justice is not revenge
justice has to be built on the rule of law
• the issue of Amnesty
• the issue of reparation
• the issue of integrating the perpetrators into society
RECONCILIATION AND TRUTH
the truth must come out in order to establish a basis for co-existance and reconciliation
the telling of stories
• the truth must be recognized and acknowledged (also by leaders)
• the truth has more than one face
RECONCILIATION AND SOCIAL DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT
diversity is part of God’s creation, but not marginalization
reconciliation through respect for each others traditions, culture and way of life
reconciliation through balance of power
reconciliation through common actions, community initiatives
There are different ways of working towards reconciliation in a conflict setting. A Palestinian lady (Jean Zaru) in a conference shared the following steps in an Arab way of reaching reconciliation – a community setting.
1. They set a date to visit me in my home with the presence of my family members
2. the person who wronged me will come with the mediator and his/her family members
3. the first step is the recognition of the hurt that was done, then commitment to repair the damage, then forgiveness is asked for.
4. the response you are in my home, you are one of us and I take it upon myself to help and protect the person who has done me wrong. Then forgiveness is given because this is a gift from God
5. The mediator takes the responsibility of executing repairing of the damage
6. All share in eating together, breaking bread together, which is a commitment of friendship and sharing rather that enmity and exploitation.
This way of doing peace (solha) reconciliation respects and restores the dignity of both parties.
A peace agreement is important, but it does not produce reconciliation from day one to the other. Reconciliation can happen before and after the signing of an agreement. It is a long process! But as I said in the beginning: it takes willingness.
One story from my student days:
On my way home from Switzerland (in my Messerchmitt minicar) I stopped in a small town in the Netherlands. I could not find my way back to the main road and asked two middle – aged men for directions. I spoke to them in German and the man almost jumped at me, accusing me for all the atrocities the Germans committed to them in his childhood. This was in 1963 – 18 years after the war ended… he did not want to reconcile, he did not have the willingness, and he was not free.
One story from 2004:
I was speaking to a group of southern students in Khartoum – about reconciliation. I was surprised to realize that the understanding they had of the concept meant: Reconciliation between different tribes and groups in the South! When I asked them but what about reconciliation between South and North? One of them got up and said that is not possible! You can never trust an Arab! I felt sorry. He was not willing, and his argument was it is not possible!
I have heard many people say: You cannot compare Sudan with South Africa – the situation is completely different – what was possible there is not possible here… Yes, the situation is different, but let me point out to you some facts:
the blacks – and non whites in SA were suppressed, kept in slavery and poverty for generations
they were subject to degradation and humiliation and moved from their homes lake cattle
they were up against the government armed with ruthless police force and the strongest military force in all of Africa.
If anybody in 1988 when I was there for the first time had said that in 1994 you would have free elections and a black president – 90% would have said. That is not possible.
What can you as young Sudanese do to enhance the Reconciliation process in your country? That is not for me to tell – that is the enormous challenge you are facing. But let me say this: That you are here in this room together, representing different southern tribes, representing Arab and “African” youth groups – this very fact shows you have taken a bold step on the road to reconciliation. You have started doing the “impossible” and God help you to go through with it.
Let me close by quoting the man I hold to the greatest statesman in our time, Nelson Mandela:
The truth is that we are not yet free: we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.
Annex 4
CHALLENGES FACING THE YOUTH IN SUDAN AND THE OPPORTUNITIES
by Waleed Musa
IMPACT OF THE CONFLICTS IN SUDAN ON THE YOUTH
Conflict has been going on for more than 4 decades
Youth have the challenge to create the environment for free speech and tolerance.
Youth have been ignored and neglected during conflict.
The youth have the better opportunity and reconciliation initiatives
We may need to establish the percentage of youth in Sudan.
You have to find, define, claim and fill their space in society.
• The youth have to demand that space - but above all they must have the capacity to occupy the space.
• Take advantage of the euphoria that may follow the signing of the peace agreement
Establish a vision
• Who is a youth
• What characteristics
• Understand that your ownership of the vision currently is temporary – you prepare space for the others.
• Establish objectives
Establish a structure
Generate resources
Establish alliances
All opportunities available to Sudanese youth not “real” but “moral”
1. Potential for solidarity - be totally honest
2. Relations with other youth in the conflict - you could undermine the conflict
There is a divide in Sudan – but not just North/South.
• Youth ought to be cautious of initiatives that have a potential for divisions
QUESTIONS
Conflict in the Sudan has gone on for the most of our independent life.
“youth being used in the conflict”
“Other conflicts now making themselves known”
• Other post conflict concerns may include mines and famine
• Could we share openly
• If expected peace agreement is based on divisions, is it sustainable?
• Networking among the youth – are resources only for those who can come together as networks?
• Is solidarity for the youth a choice or necessity?
No generation in the world has come out of war into reconstruction without a process of openness.
Consider the formation of a standing forum for openness
The only difference between conflict and civilization is dialogue. Dialogue is
only sustained by agreeing on and adhering to principles.
Sudanese peace agreement is large and difficult…….. but so is the conflict.
Indeed, so shall be its implementation.
The degree of contacts going on currently is hopeful, the challenge is to bring it to
the lower levels.
• Networks … they are not a must today
Roadmap for solidarity at some point
• Independent action with some kind of coordination – bottom line of your interactions should be honesty.
EU credo of respect for cultural diversity. Will we follow the route of he who pays the
piper?
Solidarity, trust and history
Clique in power vs. the marginalized rest
Communication – freedom of press is fundamental to solidarity among the youth-
could you give guidance on how to maintain this against the current government policies.
I think that a peace deal will bring opportunities for “SPLM” and “government” youth. What are the chances of these groups accessing resources?.
Catching up
Will the available funding not exacerbate the conflict in Sudan? – conduit for funding
RESPONSE
Challenges of communication may include;
1. Forum
2. Language
3. Means – newsletter?
Funding from EU
• Separate presentation possible
Negative impact of European funding. Work to change it is going on. Latest agreement
is the Cotonou agreement
EU policy priority towards Sudan
Why absent participation in the peace process?
How do we maintain the peace?
What is the sincerity for our participation?
Freedom of movement
• Sharing with each other, strengthening each other
• Youth in the north as much victims of circumstances as youth in the south.
• Let us work towards one message we get out of this workshop
If there is no justice, there cannot be any development in Human Affairs.
Access to resources is the most important thing in a post-conflict situation
International move on peace and security is making progress.
Introduce issue by looking at impact of conflict on the youth of Sudan. Then establish a point where people can speak openly on effects of war on the youth, openly and tolerant – the feeling of each other on the impact of war. None of the youth have a role in the conflict; most have been born in the conflict. Youth are detached to the conflict, and should be attached to the post war. Biggest loss, the youth have been ignored and neglected, the youth lose the space in society since the guns take charge, the women being more ignored than men. Youth cannot achieve move forward unless you analyze the impact of the conflict on the youth and go through a process of truth and reconciliation. Follow examples of South Africa. Youth must focus on healing and reconciliation on the conflict.
Challenges.
Establish space and vision
Looking at other experiences e.g. El - Salvador with population of 75% youth below age of 35 was high because adults have been killed. In Sudan no one has done census on youth but it could be high. The youth have had a challenge to establish their space, like anywhere in the world. You have to fight to establish your space in all fields. The space has to be defined, ……… an up hill task, dynamic. What you do today is for some one else to benefit. Establishing space means you have to demand that space, you must acquire the capacity to acquire that space. In the aftermath of the peace agreement there will be euphoria in Sudan and nobody will deny the people to feel happy about the agreement. Claim your space at this time in all arenas. Identify your capacity very quickly so that when you are given space you are able to fill it.
Vision
Most scientific way; who are you – identify youth of Sudan. Establish age range of youth, are you civil society or who? Youth in other part of the world see themselves as part and parcel of the society, not civil society not … so define who you are. Note you are working in a dynamic situation, sometimes stronger sometimes weaker. Ownership of vision is very loose and temporary.
Most important three things;
Vision,
Structure
• Gives feeling of organization to deal with youth externally and internally.
Objectives
These will facilitate funding.
Dedicate a department for experience gained. Look at experiences all over the world, their structure and take ready made results. Exposure to other experiences is mandatory. As part of vision establish alliances with youth elsewhere, especially in the more advanced part of the world. This will help form strong youth alliances.
Opportunities
No opportunities in the real sense, it is the duty of the youth to translate them to reality. There exist two strong opportunities in self, solidarity in self and relation to the youth in Sudan who have taken part in the conflict. Unfortunately a divide exist, the north and south, east west. The divide is the most common law in Sudan, and there exist an opportunity for solidarity. Youth should not go into areas that advocate for the divide e.g. politics. In addressing solitary you must be frank, accept that there is no solidarity. This way you will achieve more solidarity.
Strong potential to relate to youth who have participated in the conflict. The core of any militia or members of an army is the youth. Relate to them and undermine the conflict by pulling them out of the army. The challenge lies in coming up with ways of pulling them to your side.
OPEN FORUM
Explore activities that will enable you achieve your goals.
• Opportunities – potential for solidarity, very sensitive but important. There are experiences on how to overcome the problem.
Observation 1
Nature of peace talks – the peace agreement has an element of sustainability or fragility. Youth are burdened by the conflict, talking of comprehensiveness what is fragile and what is sustainable.
Are available resources only for those who come together as networks?
Must enter a process of openness. There is no generation that has come from war that have established itself without openness. It is important to dialogue and discuss un discussable to you. As you elaborate vision, establish a forum with a single characterizing, openness dialogue. Establish principles for dialogue, difference between conflict and civilization is dialogue.
Two challenges you did not address; Women rights and HIV/AIDs
The whole spectrum of human rights is going to take a while, however, the youth have an opportunity to start that. Start principles that your children will enjoy. All aspects of human rights require a revolution in Sudan; none of you will enjoy the fruits but generations after you.
What solidarity do you talk about?
• Unity of purpose, unity is strength
• Draw a road map that will facilitate solidarity
• Be honest, if you do not accept a conclusion say it.
Respecting cultural Diversity and promoting commonality – with the funding coming from the west, will they not dictate to Sudan and delay the peace process. Which way forward?
• To convert diversity to strength is difficult
• External influence will continue to drive the affairs in Sudan.
• Solidarity comes with trust build trust. With what has been going on in Sudan, what mechanism can make youth come together in solidarity?
• Logically the starting time is to spend time and enlist the number and factors constraining the solidarity among the youth. These will be your inventory, don’t address it now, outline and hang it on wall, at the end of w/shop decide what you will do about it.
There are powers in Sudan, what do you do about the power holders in Sudan?
For every difficult issue the change of cultural behavior there are those who will work against the process. You have a choice to dwell in difficulties or move to the list of achievement and as you achieve one, one difficulty goes a way. At level of youth there are choices, to do it or not to do it. Youth have a force is they move in a single direction, the best thing is to be open.
Communication is a tool of solidarity. Freedom of press must be there. There must be communication from youth in the North and South.
• Most important element in all structures. Freedom of speech is an important element of evolving a society. Sudan has bad history because people want to control hence abolished freedom of speech. In new era there will be freedom to communicate, freedom of expression comes at different levels. One such way is open forums. Challenges include what language to use, think of establishing a newsletter as an instrument for communication.
You talked of percentage, and touched religious groupings and other groups in the south. The external funding, will it not bring more division in Sudan?
How much money is available, the negative role, the influence of the donors.
• Organize a different forum for a separate presentation
• Negative role of funding, people are trying to reduce the negative impact of European funding in Sudan. Money comes with conditions and people are trying to give positive conditions but there is always negative impact e.g. dependency then you have to follow their demands. Only good money is your own.
Who is an African in Africa?
Why is the EU not taking key role in negotiation, are they not failing in the duty of building Sudan or is it a new form of colonization?
Youth from north, when there is a Sudanese peace workshop what are the mechanisms to be laid down on what will be discussed in this workshop.
• establish principle, dialogue, openness
• Common message
AN OBJECTIVE TO BE ACHIEVED AND TO TAKE HOME AFTER THE WORKSHOP, IF YOU SUCCEED IN HAVING A VISION THEN CAN GO BACK WITH ONE MESSAGE EVEN IF ONE SENTENCE.
No justice no progress, injustice root cause for any negative feeling one experiences. Establish justice as an objective
Key policy of EU – so long as there is sustenance of the peace agreement, there will be support.
Annex 5
THE SUDANESE PEACE PROCESS AND THE RECOVERY PROGRAMS
by Jerry Brickhill
ASSUMPTIONS
1. Sudanese not kept informed
2. A program to manage stakeholders and arms after war is necessary
PERCEPTIONS
two sets of political powers
atmosphere changed in the past 18 months, more openness, courtesy,
however, absence of other voices
the negotiating parties know that the Sudanese people will judge the peace they make
the two parties have negotiated each other to death.
the agreement will need to be reconstructed to be implemented.
the agreement will stop the main part of the conflict
it can not be done by money or outsiders
POSSIBILITIES
peace agreement made, will stop a large part of the war
Sudanese have to take lead and lead the process for it to success
Unless Sudanese themselves lead the way the multitude of “experts” will not take us anywhere. This is not easy when resources are coming from outside
Get involved to promote ownership
ISSUES
how do you manage the transition from war to peace
peace does not happen in offices or capitals but in the village – among the communities and so does demobilization.
Community – based approaches have to be found
Because different interests
Communities have reasons to fear each other
look out for global political policies
OPPORTUNITIES
diversity
open dialogue
the youth should lead the way by embracing the diversity and promote dialogue.
Potential to influence the armed youth groups
Creating an alternative attractive option
Getting involved in DDR programs
Identify and promote a vision for Sudan
QUESTIONS
1. If the peace is a forced one, does it have any impact on its implementation?
a. Need to have voices that represents liberation
b. Identify and get your rights do not leave it for other institution
2. Role of civil society organization in
3. What happens if one party is overthrown
a. The agreement is only between two groups, the present agreement is between the signatories. On he other hand if Sudanese embraces it people can carry it forward
4. How do you disarm the various factions
a. Different conflicts must be resolved
b. Don’t try to disarm immediately but first get under control then get into negotiations for people to get their own alternatives to security.
c. Political interest for the groups left out should in the agreement should now involved in the implementation process
Annex 6
INTRODUCTION – NILE PEACE VOYAGE
In 1997 a group of youth in Khartoum met and agreed to form a group. They started at individual levels, shared experiences and started activities together. The youth were Muslims and Christians. Several workshops were organized by the youth by different and decided to work together in a joint program. Drew up a program that allowed continuos dialogue. Also organized world camps in closed environment to address the differences. Nile Peace Voyage was then established. Look at the reality of youth in Sudan and reach out for the opportunities available. NPV will take place this year, now introducing idea that is why we are consulting with you. Have already talked to other stakeholders, women groups, NGOs on the ground, the elders. Want real participation of the people, should not be a Khartoum youth business. Wants every bodies participation. Some activities to be implemented by identifying different campaign methods relevant to a particular area and the needs.
Government and SPLM have already approved and are supporting the program. Security concerns are being addressed; NPV is not a political group. Intend to learn about the Sudan, culture, and challenges.
Advocated at different levels, NCA and CA very supportive, UN also contacted and are encouraging it.
Has met different youth groups and introduced the idea to the different groups. Brainstormed on wider involvement of the youth, re-introduced the idea and will after completion of consultations will compile all information and develop a common program for all the youth.
****VISION, AIM AND OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUT
match expectations with objective
Annex 6
NILE PEACE VOYAGE PROJECT
HISTORY
Result Of joint work between Sudanese youth mainly … society which started working in Sudan since 1975 and change Sudan an ecumenical youth movement. There is great support from ACC. NPV works with many groups and even train together. Though people co-exist in the north there exist barriers in interaction. But at times want to do concrete programs together, have common donors i.e. the C. A. and N.C.A.
An opportunity arose – voyage for the future, decided to strengthen the relationship of the two NGOs Environmental Society and Sudan Church Council under the theme hand in hand for better understanding and agreed to work together in certain areas. Planned activities together, context for the north complex especially with the security.
Objectives
build understanding
symbolic activities
• to enhance relationships
• got 40 youth groups to participate
NPV a symbolic project based on the history of exchange of goods between south and north. Wanted a symbolic as a sign of possibility of re-union and a trip in the Nile was agreed on. This will help understand the isolated communities along the Nile, hope to achieve a lot. To show responsibility of the Sudanese youth, the project is not a political initiative. Want to understand challenges facing the community and the youth as well.
Preparation work part of the achievement though was very challenging. Shows that Sudanese youth are capable, this will be a learning experience for them. Consulted various people to understand the issues surrounding the Nile, the politics and security and ownership. Had to negotiate with SPLM and the government, negotiation with SPLM was very challenging, which depended a lot on the peace talks in Machakos and Naivasha. This has helped the group to strengthen their relationships since they have to protect themselves. The main donors of the project are CA and NCA though their exist other donors. Main supporters of the project need to the Sudanese Youth.
Need to do preparatory work, believe in essential values. Participation, ownership, people should be part of the project. Trips have been made to start symbolic activities. First activity trip was in Costi (Entisar) went to introduce project to the authority, to youth organizations and NGOs both international and national, ministry of education and health to understand their problems. Visited the SEX and other offices to build relationship between the two organizations. Went to office of Nile aviation and learnt the routes that exist liking Costi to other areas. Identified two areas that activities will be implemented not known earlier. Learnt about ships available that can be used by NPV and other logistical issues.
Purpose of preparatory was to get information in order to plan for the activities, identification of areas and the needs of that particular community. Some groups rejected the projects others accepted the project. Those who rejected felt that the time is not yet right for such an activity
Malakal trip.
Two trips made and the idea was total rejected in both instances. The area is witnessing insecurity and there is now a lot of tension contrary to what it used to be. Reason for the trip was to introduce NPV and seek their support and participation. Our meetings organized by a youth group and met several international organizations, and scouts. Met 14 youth organizations, met with hostility and suspicion but left it open for groups that are willing to participate in the voyage. Advice to divide the voyage in two, to approach the Nile from two different points. Had experience of WFP project when they were distributing relief food.
Shendi – the oldest Sudanese civilization.
High interaction of communities took place in that region. Needed security clearance to travel to this area and approval from the higher authority.
Juba trip.
Spent two days, not allowed to carry out any activities in Juba. CA and NCA organizations raised suspicion. Met 25 NGOs and explained to them about NPV group. Faced the difficulties the people experience, dangerous life and situations. Questioned the presence of arab ladies, something difficult in areas supported by the government.
Negotiation
Dangerous task negotiation with SPLM and government, the SPLM sent a goodwill delegation in the meeting and managed to talked to two representatives were very transparent with both groups
In February, needed to get the feeling of youth in Nairobi and also inform them of the progress and activities done so far and requested then to join the project. Wanted their participation and now waiting to meet the top leadership of SPLM.
Need preparatory meeting in the SPLM areas and this needs to be done by youth groups in the SPLM areas in collaboration with the coordinating team.
Christian Aid (CA)
WHY ARE THEY IN
CA is a development organization and works on partnership basis. Work with everybody regardless of religion, so the genuinity in the project and took it up to support NPV. CA is also an organization for capacity building and for that reason sponsored the workshop.
Peace on of their component, so hope to open up dialogue between the northerners and southerners.
It is within their goal and mandate to help humanity regardless of who they are.
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
NPV in north sea was initiated by NCA and involved the youth.
Questions
This forum is to scrutinize NPV. In the presentation there was a lot of words of working together
Have you considered the geographical situation of Sudan and the population of youth involved?
CA and NCA are observers and donors of the workshop. Feels that working with donors as partners is very important but then would like to recognize the possibility of working with person irrespective of social or political setting. Even if Nile Peace Voyage is not accepted by youth in the south, would still want to work with you.
Response
Fully support idea of consultation and people have freedom to be part of it or not. Consultations will continue with the youth.
Annex 8
List of participants
NAME PHONE E-MAIL
Badeng Malual 0721 – 634710 badeng280@yahoo.com
Steve Goi Gatluak 0721671241 goygatluak@yahoo.com
Tani Dominic Paul 077877354 moidomimi@yahoo.com
Boyenyo Ezekiel bianakut@yahoo.com
Monim elgak always_aish@hotmail.com
Mayen Dut Wol CMS – SCC, Khartoum
Samuel Kom Gatlia 0721634710 bodenq@yahoo.com
Mary Bayoi Golaq 0733-348154 bayoimary@yahoo.com
Bol Ring Mourwe c/o CMS/SCC, Khartoum
Awel Mawien “
Barino Garang Barjok Southern Sudan Youth Networking Fount (SSYNF)
0721-565680 ssyn-fount@yahoo.com
barjokdit@emailkenya.com
David Marial Gumle 0720-730945 daviddictor@yahoo.com
Agok Anyar Madut 00678395976/00671246011
Achok Medrine 0722 – 278586 sussymedrine@yahoo.com
Moris Gamma 0720-899286 Gama2001@yahoo.com
Entisar Abdulrahman Ali 912293059 Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS)
Raphael Juma Box 6038 – 00200 Nairobi,
0722-854970 kenlorumbe@webmail.co.za
Camilo Gatmai 0720-711098 camilogkel@yahoo.co.uk
Joseph Milla joemillaukdr@yahoo.co.uk
George King Augustin Triangle Youth Peace & Development Agency gkingaiwari@yahoo.com
Clare Palmer +44 207532352 cpalmer@christian-aid.org
Sara Musa El Saeed +249 1 83 467010 Sara_musa@hotmail.com
Per midteide +249 912 41384 per.midteide@c2i.net
Awad Ahmed Tel. 795120 , Khartoum
Chrismas Achor 0720 – 774753
Alfred Wol Malith 0721 - 565680
Abuk Deng Aluk 0721 - 719280
Dr. Pacific Gabriel c/o CMS/SCC
Samia Ahmed nvp.always_samia@yahoo.com
Dominica Lam Akol 0733-528935/571209 diakol03@yahoo.com
Gihan Eltahir Hamed +249912608162 c/o Nile Peace Voyage
Samuel Okomi 0721– 692123, Box 76621, NRB
Mai Abdelgadir M 0912915613 mammy411@yahoo.com
Grace Andrua 077666305 gandma@hotmail.com
Sharateldin Hamad +249 912896551 sharat_just@hotmail.com
Annex 7
GROUND RULES
1. Switch off mobile phones
2. No noise, no chorus answers
3. Avoid unnecessary movements
4. No smoking
5. Respect each others opinion
6. Be time conscious
EXPECTATIONS
1. Unity, networking among youth group
2. Thorough negotiations between north and south with open heart
3. All represented groups work together
4. Have a common understanding of the Nile Peace Voyage
5. Understand objective of Nile Peace Voyage
6. Understand meaning of making a difference in society
7. Be youth ambassador of peace
8. Progress after workshop
9. Materialization of Nile Peace Voyage
10. Identify views and prioritize
11. Build bridges
12. Unity of purpose by youth from north and south
13. More dialogue between youth in north and south
14. Good resolution of conflict among the youth
15. Make new friends
16. Have comprehensive understanding of youth work
17. Have a clear vision of Nile Peace Voyage
18. Develop trust
19. Information about Nile Peace Voyage
20. Have a common vision and Plan of Action
21. Way forward – common strategy for Nile Peace Voyage - Youth forge unity
Annex 8 Sharing of Experiences and aspirations
Personal – representative
a. Gilhan – Youth from North
First time for such a workshop came to share experience and as k to reflect. Fear – expectation may be bigger than reality. Youth can make difference, big step in being here together. Look at our history together, a history that may be bitter but we as youth can work on it together. The Nile with all the romance, flowing from No to south carries culture and differences. It is not doing so, help it do so.with
all the differences, they should not be barriers and should be able to do things together. The participants from Khartom are 12 representing youth groups in Khartom. Use opportunity to introduce self, know each other at personal level not only at organizational level.
b. Samuel Okomi – Youth from South
Thank NCA and CA for making workshop possible. Workshop is historic since the war youth from south and North have come together. We are here to share information, come up with methods of addressing issues that affect us. Remove suspicion that exists. 47 youth groups are members of the SSYP-Network and in the process of fundraising met NCA and were informed about NVP and joined the initiate and is currently the coordinator.
Group
WHO WE ARE
• Upper Nile Youth Association for Development
WHAT WE DO
• Peace and reconciliation
• Promotion of education
• Preventative health
• Network with other youth bodies
WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE
• Unity and harmonious co-existence
• Development
WHO THEY ARE
• NPV
WHAT THEY DO
• work towards peaceful co-existence
• strengthening youth participation/capacity
WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE
• Success for NPV and beyond
GROUP 3 - CHANGES
WHO THEY ARE
• Youth of Sudan
• Changing agent of society
• The leaders
WHAT THEY DO
• as youth, we are involved in conflict resolution and management
• we are involving in peace and reconciliation in the society
WHY WE DO
• To discourage, nepotism, injustice and racism etc.
• end of war in Sudan
WHAY THEY WANT TO SEE
• equality • justice in society
• promotion of human rights • HIV/AIDS awareness
• Youth and women economic empowerment
• Civic education
• Comprehensive peace agreement signed
• Gender balance
• Good governance • Sports activities
Improved education – building of schools • Development – infrastructure etc
• Reconciliation • Sustainable networking
Good youth leadership Mission
• Promotion of human right • Mutual respect
• Capacity building • Rights
• Stop war • Management of resources
• Justice and peace
GROUP REPORTS
Juba Club
WHO WE ARE
• Ambassadors of peace in our society (making change)
• We work for justice and equality for all
Ambassadors of justice, peace and equality
WHAT WE DO
• youth have common activism to transform their society to the reality of life
• by advocating for peaceful solving problems in the society.
• Capacity building in conflict resolution mechanism
• Identifying key issues that hinder networking among the youth group organizations
• HIV/AIDS awareness to the mass population of Sudan
• We youth are much concern on girl-child education (this is our first priority)
WHY WE DO
• We have to prepare ourselves as youth of Sudan ready in all aspects of the problems facing us, whether there are politically, socially, economically and educationally.
• We need not to wait for someone to do for us peace agreement on Sudanese conflict.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE
• Justice and peace
• What has been put in program to become a reality whether there is peace or not
• good youth leadership
NILE STARS
WHO THEY ARE
• South Sudan youth networking fount
WHAT THEY DO
• Advocacy – various fields
• Creation of recreational centers
• Education
• Job opportunities
• Health
WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE
• Unity in diaspora
• Respect
WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE
• Education
• Development
• Good governance
• Good management of the resources
SSNY – FOUNT
WHO THEY ARE
• political body
WHAT THEY DO
• civic education
• capacity building
• political empowerment
WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE
• good governance
• peace unity and reconciliation among the youth, youth in Diaspora
Synthesis of Activities and Aspirations
ACTIVITIES ASPIRATIONS
Promotion of respect for human rights Stop the war
Good management of resources Respect
Capacity building Good governance
Reconciliation Sustainable networking
Networking Comprehensive peace
Creation of awareness of HIV/AIDS Justice and peace
Civic education Mission
Developing effective youth leadership
Identifying & developing a mission
Annex 9 Steps to Building the capacity of Organizations – by Abdulrahman Wandati
ING, DOING AND RELATIONS
Being – becoming who you intend to be. Relationships develop, cohesion started forming,
• Questions asked and aspirations marched with reality
o Internal governance (have to sort out this, who are we, how are we related to one another, what are the authorities of our leadership and the relationship with others
o Community participation – you draw leg | |
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