Peace
Ambassadors the Gambia on Tuesday orientated members of The Gambia delegation
to the 11th edition of the International Youth Summer School (IYSS) on peace.
The
Gambia is expected to be represented by 150 young people and people working
with youth.
The
gathering will bring together participants from The Gambia, Senegal and the
hosts Guinea Bissau.
The
gathering that runs from the 4 to 13 August 2017 is under the theme: “In the
search of peace for Africa”.
The
IYSS gathers young people and people working with youth to acquire knowledge
and skills needed to develop an aptitude for peace building, to discuss issues
affecting youth and map out strategies at resolving them.
The
goal of the gathering is to enhance political and cultural tolerance that
contribute 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.
Speaking
at the orientation ceremony held at the Gambia College, Momodou Juju Jallow,
Program officer at Peace Ambassadors the Gambia, explained that the objectives
of the summer school are: tolerance and the sense of oneness among young
people; to equip young people with the necessary skills needed to promote the
culture of peace and non-violence; to promote international cooperation,
friendship and understanding for the integration of young people of Africa.
It
is also to discuss and map out strategies of lifting the societies from the
violence and the troubled past into a future where peace and development are at
the centre.
He
said their biggest challenge has been finance as they are yet to secure half of
their budget and therefore, appealed to the general public for help.
He
further explained that during the gathering there will be various activities
which will include academic, conference, social activities among others.
Bubacarr
Sambou, President of Peace Ambassadors the Gambia, in his opening remarks, said
participants have been divided into 6 different ethnic groups, adding that one
could find him or herself in an ethnic group different from his or hers.
The
idea behind this, he added, is for them to appreciate and tolerate each other’s
cultural background.
