Gov't officials, Youth representatives group photo after launching of peace fund/31.05.2023/By Charles Wote

The government and two UN agencies have launched a three-million US dollar-project to engage youth in peace building activities across the country.

The two-year project is known as “Youth Leading Peace”.

“We have launched a three-million dollar Youth Leading Peace project that will be implemented across the ten states and three administrative area in the Republic of South Sudan,” Peace-building Ministry Undersecretary  Pia Phillip Michael confirmed  to Eye Radio

The funding from the United Nations Peace-building Fund will be Implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and United Nations Population Fund.

“It is given to our two key partners, UNFPA and UNESCO plus search for common ground,” he said.

The peace project gears towards establishing participatory and inclusive local and national mechanisms for implementation of the Youth Peace and Security Agenda for South Sudan.”

It targets youth in the ten states and three administrative areas with focus on enhancing accountable institutions to promote justice, peace and inclusivity.

“This project which is supported by the peace-building fund under the leadership of the Ministry of peace build is  to ensure that we institutionalize that process,” said UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Ademola Olajide.

“We built system at all level including in the communities where young people are able to have a voice and are able to actively engage in all processes including the monitoring of the peace plans,” he said

Mr. Olajide also hopes that will help the partners to push and accelerate the implementation and adoption of the national youth policy.

State Ministers of Peace building and youth representatives as well as the, lawmakers and other developmental partners took part in the launch.

The funding use is expected tol empower young women and men to lead the peace building process in South Sudan.