More than 40 youth leaders are undergoing a three-day policy and advocacy training in Juba, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with Markaz Al Salam and the South Sudan National Youth Union.
The workshop aims to equip young people with key skills in
lobbying, negotiation, evidence-based advocacy, and understanding how
government policies are developed and implemented.
Boboya James Edmond, a policy analyst and CEO of the
Institute of Social Policy, said in an interview with The Radio Community that many
young people lack exposure to policy processes, making such training essential.
“Youth need to know how they actually engage on advocacy,
how they engage on lobbying, and how they engage on negotiations, because those
are some of the critical skills that youth need to have,” said Edmond.
The training seeks to build strong youth movements and
prepare young people for leadership and governance roles as the country moves
toward a democratic transition.
Participants say the training has broadened their
understanding of policy and rights.
Josephine Bakhita Dominic, Deputy Chairperson of South Sudan
National Youths in Egypt and the Middle East, said it taught her why advocacy
matters.
“If you know about the policy, you should know what to do.
You should know your right, your voice must be heard,” Ms. Dominic said
She urged organizers to extend the training beyond Juba to
states, counties, and even the South Sudanese diaspora.
Another participant, Moro Moses James from Youth Action for
Community Transformation, said the skills learned will empower current and
future generations.
“This training helps makes everyone to become so authentic,
to know about the rights of the policies. To know that youths have the right to
know their policies. It will not also only empower me as an individual, but it
will empower many youths,” James said.
The training continues on Friday, 28 November 2025, with
sessions on monitoring advocacy efforts, building youth movements, and
preparing young people for national decision-making.