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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / YOUTH FORUM
TRT: 04:06
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 MAY 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, workshop
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Deborah Akech Kuocnin, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports:
“Youth participation in governance is not just an idea. It is an imperative and it is a recognition that our nation's future rests not in the hands of those who need it today, but in the hearts and minds of those who will shape tomorrow, that is the youth. We commit as a country where youth participation in governance is not only an option but a standard where every young person feels not only hopeful but confident that they are prepared to shape the trajectory of South Sudan.”
3. Various Shots, workshop
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Guang Cong, UNMISS DSRSG/Political:
“Let us seize this opportunity not only to exchange ideas but to build momentum and create a shared vision for the future. This is particularly important when South Sudan is currently at a critical junction that needs renewed commitment and the political will from the all the parties to recommit to the cessation of the hostilities’ agreement and the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.”
5. Various Shots, workshop
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Gillian Butts-Garnett, Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
“Enabling youth participation means action. It means creating safe spaces where young people can express themselves. It means forming youth councils, engaging student leaders, and giving young people real roles in local and national governance. It means strengthening civic education so that young South Sudanese understand their rights and responsibilities. It also means opening opportunities, involvement in peace-building processes, and supporting youth-led organizations.”
7. Various Shots, workshop
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Paride Taban, Chairperson, South Sudan National Youth Union:
“Let us speak the truth and let us be peaceful, and again, I always challenge the young people, you see, when we keep quiet and then you go out, and you say, ah I wanted to say it like this, no, no, no, no, no, that is wrong, you say it. Because if you keep it instead of saying it, you will boom on the social media, we shall be reading a lot of hate speech which is not our mandate as young people. We are supposed to be vibrant. We are supposed to be taking care of our environment. We are supposed to be advocating for our involvement in all these processes in a very peaceful manner.”
9. Various Shots, workshop
South Sudan has one of the world’s youngest populations, with over 70 per cent aged under 30. This makes the inclusion of youth in the political transition towards the country’s first democratic elections and ongoing governance processes more important than ever.
Deborah Akech Kuocnin, Under-Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports said, “Youth participation in governance is not just an idea. It is an imperative and it is a recognition that our nation's future rests not in the hands of those who need it today, but in the hearts and minds of those who will shape tomorrow, that is the youth. We commit as a country where youth participation in governance is not only an option but a standard where every young person feels not only hopeful but confident that they are prepared to shape the trajectory of South Sudan.”
Despite the optimism, youth in South Sudan face significant barriers to their participation in political and peace processes. Many are unable to access education or jobs and are severely impacted by persistent intercommunal violence and the dire humanitarian situation. To help empower the younger generation, and support efforts to ensure inclusion and diversity of views in constitution-making and electoral processes, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan partnered with the Come Let’s Read initiative to host a dedicated workshop for youth in the capital, Juba.
Guang Cong of UNMISS DSRSG/Political said, “Let us seize this opportunity not only to exchange ideas but to build momentum and create a shared vision for the future. This is particularly important when South Sudan is currently at a critical junction that needs renewed commitment and the political will from the all the parties to recommit to the cessation of the hostilities’ agreement and the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.”
The priority is to strengthen understanding of their rights, encourage them to express their views, and actively lead efforts to build a culture of national identity, unity and peace.
Gillian Butts-Garnett, Country Representative for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said, “Enabling youth participation means action. It means creating safe spaces where young people can express themselves. It means forming youth councils, engaging student leaders, and giving young people real roles in local and national governance. It means strengthening civic education so that young South Sudanese understand their rights and responsibilities. It also means opening opportunities, involvement in peace-building processes, and supporting youth-led organizations.”
Participants at the workshop issued a call for all youth to act by voicing their ambitious vision for the country and leading change in their own communities, as well as nationally.
Paride Taban, Chairperson of the South Sudan National Youth Union said, “Let us speak the truth and let us be peaceful, and again, I always challenge the young people, you see, when we keep quiet and then you go out, and you say, ah I wanted to say it like this, no, no, no, no, no, that is wrong, you say it. Because if you keep it instead of saying it, you will boom on the social media, we shall be reading a lot of hate speech which is not our mandate as young people. We are supposed to be vibrant. We are supposed to be taking care of our environment. We are supposed to be advocating for our involvement in all these processes in a very peaceful manner.”
There was agreement among participants that urgent steps must be taken to ensure all youth in South Sudan have the opportunity they deserve to reach their full potential and determine their own future.
