South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The UN Women together with Empower Youth Africa (EYA) on Sunday organized cultural event to foster understanding, peace and harmony among different sections of the communities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
Garang Athian Deng, the Executive Director for EYA in a statement issued in Juba, said the cultural event aims to create awareness on Climate change and peaceful coexistence in GPAA.
Deng also appealed to the government of GPAA and all humanitarian agencies in the area to work collectively with Empower Youth Africa.
Peter Simon, the town mayor for GPAA said that the cultural events had been suspended previously because some youth were using them to incite violence instead of focusing to bring sustainable peace.
“We are happy for EYA for bringing this big cultural event to unite the different groups of the in 5 different payams, we encourage people of GPAA to send their children to school since education is key to success and maintenance of peace among communities,” said Simon.
Korok Nyial, the Acting Chief Administrator for GPAA said this marks the first time a cultural event is organized by the UN in the area.
“We appeal to the UN Women to continue supporting the people of Greater Pibor Administrative Area through Empower Youth Africa, cultural events have the potential to promote peace instead of encouraging fighting among different communities,” said Nyial.
James Chacha, Chairperson for Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in GPAA, said the cultural event will help foster peace among local communities.
“Our people of GPAA should take the message of peace from this event which brought different groups to dance together. This will help to resolve the cases of inter-generational conflicts,” said Chacha.
Sadia Rose William, the project Officer said that the communities in Thangajon, Kavachoch, Lenyeriz, Akilo and Manyirany are the most affected by conflict and climate change effects.
“Climate change has resulted in increased environmental vulnerabilities such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather pattern, which directly affect the livelihoods and well-being of these communities,” said William.
The cultural event that was organized by Empower Youth Africa in partnership with UN Women brought together 400 participants, 100 government stakeholders and humanitarian agencies, and general public in Pibor town, and five payams including Thangajon, Kavachoch, Lenyeriz, Akilo, and Manyirany in Pibor County of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
