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PAG sensitizes the media ahead of Int’l Youth Summer Camp

Jun 29, 2011, 1:18 PM | Article By: Yusuf Ceesay

Peace Ambassadors -The Gambia (PAG) yesterday convened a press conference at its office in Kanifing to sensitize members of the press, ahead of its fifth International Youth Summer Camp.

According to the organisers, the international camp will be held from15 to 30 July 2011 at the Gambia College in Brikama.

The theme for this year is “Search of peace in Africa”, which is aimed at helping participants, especially youths and those working with young people, in the acquisition of knowledge on peace, among others.

Speaking at the press conference, Lamin Saidykhan, president of the PAG, said the academics will be a ten-day lecture on various thematic areas.

According to him, the first phase of the thematic lecture will include human rights, conflicts management, governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

The topics are meant to help to expose the participants to human rights systems as well as to explore on the systems, theories and analyses of conflict management and the role young people play in conflict prevention, among others.

“On governance, we will look at good governance and democracy to peace building to help participants to hold leaders for what they are accounted for,” he said.

Also speaking, Modou C. Nyang, chairperson of the social and protocol committee, said the committee is prepared to host a successful event.

He said forms have been issued to participants, both nationally and internationally, since February 2011 and they have started receiving some responses from prospective participants.

“We will take a break during the camp to observe the July 22nd celebrations,” he noted, adding that more priority will however be given to international participants. “As part of the activities, there will be also a field visit to Casamance,” he disclosed.

Mr Nyang said cultural and sporting events, as well as entertainment, will also be witnessed. Interested participants can still send their forms not later than Friday after working hours, he says.

Matarr Saidykhan, head of health and precautions committee, asserted that the international summer school will bring young people cross the world to discuss pertinent issues.

Saidykhan assured intending participants of the safety and protection of their properties and lives.

Ousman Darboe, chairperson of the Fifth International Summer event, disclosed that lectures and support will be made by experts from the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, Action Aid International The Gambia, and Youth for Christ.

On entrepreneurship development skills and disaster risk reduction, Child fund -The Gambia, the National Disaster Management Agency and Concern Universal are also interested in sponsoring the two classes, he says.

“As at now, we have received international participants from Indonesia, Tanzania, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal,” he disclosed.

Mr Darboe also noted that support has been received from the government and the Youth and Sports ministry, while calling for more support for the initiative.