Tostan,
one of the leading NGOs in the country that’s operating in the Upper River
Region on Sunday concluded a historic three days youth forum that brought
together more than two hundred participants.
The
first ever youth forum which was organised by Tostan was meant to bring
together young people within the region to discuss key issues affecting them
particularly on human rights; the role of young people in peace building and
child’s right among other pertaining issues.
Tostan
is an international NGO that started operating in URR in 2006 with the
objectives of empowering African communities by bringing about sustainable
development and positive social transformations based on respect for human
rights and dignity for all.
Edrisa
Keita, Tostan’s national coordinator underscored the significance of the forum,
saying it avails the participants the opportunity to discuss many issues
affecting them as young people and table them before the government.
He
said: “This is the first time we are integrating a youth forum in Tostan
programmes. Tostan is an NGO that listens and learnsfrom experiences,
aspirations as well as expectation from communities where we work.”
As
a dynamic NGO, he added, empowerment of young people is among their objectives,
hence that’s why they are organising such a historic youth forum; where
participants are drown from different schools within the region.
“The
is aimed at supporting them and enhance their capacities and understanding on
some basic human rights issues as well as other issues that affect the live and
livelihood of our youths.”
During
the course of the two days, he went on, the participants were exposed on human
rights, democracy, good governance, the role of youth in peace building and
conflict resolution, reproductive health including gender based violence and
national youth policy among others.
The
Tostan Gambia boss added the young people were also exposed to Tostan’s
community empowerment programme, which helps them to understand the aims and
objectives of the NGO as well as its strategies.
“We
strongly believe as NGO; we are contributing to the national development in
general. We are contributing in education, health, environment and economic
development. We believe human right is the foundation of everything because
development can’t be successful if people don’t understand the basic human
rights.”
Samba
Bah, URR deputy governor, described the forum as timely and in the right
direction, adding that the government can’t do it all alone, hence there’s need
for partnership from all.
“Bringing
more than two hundred youth to discuss on issues affecting them is important.
Tostan is the kind of NGO that we need in the region and the country at large.
I want to appeal to them and their donors to ensure that the youth forum even be
held quarterly.”
He
assured that the resolutions that the youth submitted will be forwarded to the
relevant authorities.
The
chairman of Basse Area Council, Foday Danjo, Majula Kuyateh from the regional
health team and Muhammed Ceesay regional youth chairman all hailed Tostan for
their immensely contribution to the development of URR communities.
