Plan International South Sudan's country director has called
on the government to recognize and empower young people as social actors who
may promote peace through athletic endeavors.
South Sudan's youth comprise 74 percent of the population.
This is the biggest cohort, and meeting their needs is not only a big challenge
but also a big opportunity.
The young people continue to lend their passions and ideas,
fighting for political, social, and economic changes despite the challenges
they face, such as unemployment, education, and early and forced marriages.
Mohamed Kamal stated that supporting youth in sports would
help societal development.
“If we would like to attract them (youth) to play their role
in the development of a specific society, it should be through sport because
this is the glue that connects young people to their country and also to their
communities,” kamal said during the signing of the memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday in Juba.
“I would like the government of South Sudan to work together
with young people as key social agents in developing a better, more resilient, and
prosperous South Sudan.”
The MoU focuses mainly on sports development, youth
participation as ambassadors of peace, innovation, and gender empowerment.
Kamal expressed Plan International's dedication to
supporting youth activities.
“I would like to commit myself that we will continue doing
our best to meet the expectations, most importantly, of young people, including
girls, whom we are committed to promoting and protecting wherever they are in
South Sudan,” he stressed.
He further echoed, “We will be working with young people to
support them to play their role in promoting gender equality in South Sudan and
creating safe and inclusive spaces for girls to participate in decisions
affecting their lives.”
He also promised that Plan International will be working on
organizing some national and international events to promote young people in
sports that aim at promoting unity.
For his part, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, minister of Youth and
Sports, stresses the need to double efforts in promoting capacity building.
“We are keen to promote youth in sports as well as
peacebuilding, ensuring that they access livelihood opportunities through
capacity building,” Geng explained.