Peace Ambassadors The Gambia (PAG), formerly Youth Ambassadors of Peace on Friday 16th July 2010, began its 4th annual international youth summer camp on peace, at the Gambia College campus in Brikama.
The theme for this year's international edition is "In search of peace in Africa" and some 150 youths and people working together to promote the culture of peace, tolerance and international friendship, geared towards making the world a better place to live in.
Delivering a statement at the occasion, Mr. Demba Ceesay, the Registrar of the Gambia College, who deputised for the vice-chancellor of the University of the Gambia described the forum as essential.
He advised the youths to seek knowledge not only in classroom, but to engage in programme of this nature in order to promote peace in the country and the continent as a whole.
The College Registrar encouraged young people to nurture the culture of peace in the country, as according to him, they have the potential to do so.
In his speech, Mr. Ansuman Darboe, the Chairman of the organising committee revealed that the ultimate goal of the international summer school was to enhance political and cultural tolerance, so as to contribute to the socio-economic empowerment of all people and promoting the value of life towards the realisation of the culture of peace and non-violence for children.
He stated that this year's summer school would focus on five thematic areas, such as human rights and gender, conflict management and non-violence, leadership, governance and democracy, entrepreneurship development and small business management and climate change.
Mr. Lamin M. Sanyange, the President of PAG posited that the aim and objective of the organisation is to inculcate into the minds of young people the spirit of serving oneself and to strive for their welfare, ensure peaceful co-existence of all people and to promote justice and equality, among others.
He therefore challenged the participants to make the best use of the opportunity and share the lessons learnt with their peers back home.
For his part, Major Musa Savage speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces assured the gathering that peace is what we all yearn for.
Noting that without peace this important forum would not have been held, he urged the participants to take their lessons with seriousness.
"During these ten days you will know that a serviceman is human being and without civilians a serviceman would not have been existing," he revealed.
Mr. Sunkary Badjie, the Chairman of Brikama Area Council maintained that the importance of the event that seeks to promote peace cannot be over-emphasised.