South Sudan holds national youth convention

May 22, 2024 (JUBA)-  A three-day national youth convention seeking to identity potential youth leaders is currently underway in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

Organized by the Youth and Sports ministry, the convention running from May 22- 24 gathered delegates from all the states, administrative areas, those coming from the diaspora and people with disabilities to deliberate on important issues.

“We have received the delegates from all the 10 states and three administrative areas, also from the diaspora as well as youth-led organizations and youth with disabilities”, Youth and Sports minister, Joseph Geng Akech said on Monday.

He said the convention is in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), United Nations Development Programs (UNDP), UN Women, United Nations for Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO), Save The Children, Plan International, South Sudan Red Cross and Trinity Energy.

The ministry has received various forms of support from public and private entities.

Under Akech, the ministry is credited for the harmonious and cordial engagement with other actors to advance the aspirations for youth and sports in the country.

The focus has been to embrace entrepreneurial attitudes that contribute to the overall objectives and aspirations of the country and its leadership.

The minister said holding of the convention is unique because it is taking place at the time the country and its leadership are preparing for general elections.

“This will be a unique, credible convention for young people of South Sudan and this should be the skeptics clear that the country is exactly even ready for general elections. since youth people will have free, fair, and credible elections. this demonstrates that we are ready as the country for elections”, stressed Akech.

He said his ministry has been closely working with all the stakeholders to make sure that the delegates are elected democratically from their states to the capital.

“They will also undertake democratic process of electing their leaders. This happen every four years and we are glad that when the youth are electing their leaders is the same year the country is holding general elections”, he remarked.

The youthful minister said he was optimistic that the discussions would be fruitful.

According to Akech, the three-day convention would start with two days of deliberations on important issues   such as youth in peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and other programs.

“On Friday, we will hold elections in which the youth will do the actual voting and the result will be announced the same day”, he stressed.

During the conference, focus will be on encouraging young people to engage in agriculture, farming, business as well as on activities key in building the country.

“The convention will end with the election of new leadership to run the affairs of the youth in the country. The chairperson of the youth union is a highly aspired position among the youth as the occupant will be a link between the youth, the government, and other actors in the country”, said the minister.

Akech disclosed that President Kiir will officially close the convention on Friday.

(ST)