Youth used to be excluded in discussions, efforts, and decision-making processes about conflict management and peacebuilding. But owing to the political will in different countries as well as various intentional initiatives and projects, youth have shown that they are able to play an active role, particularly at grassroots and local levels, as peacemakers, mediators, and peacebuilders.
Today, we join the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Peace 2021, under the theme: “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world: the role of youth in promoting peaceful values.” Today, we also reiterate our commitment to peace and to equipping youth in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region, with the skills they need to enhance their potential to contribute to lasting peace in their communities.
Peacebuilding is one of the core pillars at Never Again Rwanda (NAR). Since NAR’s inception in 2002, we have been working with youth and adults under various programs and projects with the aim of preventing genocide, building peace, fostering societal healing, and managing conflicts. We do this by providing safe spaces for youth to discuss the root causes of conflict and overcome their wounds. We also equip youth with critical thinking skills, to foster empathy, appreciate diversity and develop a sense of self-responsibility. We engage young people in dialogue, debate, theater, music, drama, photo competitions, and training as well as encourage them to start up their own initiatives for peace in their communities.
Equally, through its programs, NAR builds the capacity and confidence of youth for increased participation in decision-making processes at different levels, strengthens collaboration and communication between youth and policy and decision-makers using participatory approaches. NAR facilitates youth to dialogue on their priorities and needs and peacefully communicate these to the decision-makers to inform the decisions and policies that affect their lives.
In partnership with other peace actors, we have organized a hybrid youth dialogue bringing together youth from various backgrounds, decision-makers and peace actors, to dialogue on issues affecting peace during the pandemic and jointly propose effective strategies for better recovery and for promoting peaceful values in communities. The devastating social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have reminded us that peace is a prerequisite for health, equality, and human security. The pandemic has also reminded us that recovery is a collective responsibility.
As an organization devoted to the building of peace, we commit to equipping the young generation with the tools and capacity to play a meaningful role in shaping efforts to address stereotypes, prejudice, and polarization, promote social cohesion and build inclusive and peaceful societies in their contexts.