5th Int’l Youth Summer School on peace wraps up

The 5th Edition of the Youth Ambassadors of Peace International School on Saturday ended at the Gambia College Campus in Brikama.

The theme for this year was “In search of peace for Africa”.

Senior government officials and representatives from different departments and organisations attended the official closing ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lamin Sanyang, President of Youth Ambassadors of Peace, thanked all those who contributed to the success of the 2011 summer camp.

“We were able to make it to where we are today thanks to your relentless efforts, dedication and commitment as participants,” he said.

Mr Sanyang said the goal of the international youth summer school is to enhance political and cultural tolerance that contributes to the socio-economic empowerment of all people, and promote the value of life towards the realisation of the culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world.

“As young people, our contribution towards building a very strong foundation for enhancing political and cultural tolerance is beyond imagination,” he said.

‘If our dream for the search of peace for Africa is to be achieved, we must be more than willing to get ourselves ready mentally, physically and psychologically.”

Mr Sanyang said the academic component of the 5th International Youth Summer School on Peace provided unique opportunity for participations to explore and know how each of the issues could lead to unrest as well as how they could provide the needed platforms for sustainable peace and development.

 He added that the social aspects of the school have given participants the ability to showcase their talents and skills in debate, football, volleyball, fashion and other fields.

Saikou Manneh, a member of Youth Ambassadors of Peace, said YAP is an international organisation focusing on youth and peace, established in The Gambia on 17 May 2001.

According to him, the organisation was conceived and established based on the realisation that whole generations of young people live in the absence of peace, bearing the consequences on their minds and bodies.