The youth-led “Waei” community in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp in Uganda has recommended continuing and diversifying activities aimed at peacebuilding and strengthening social cohesion, increasing youth participation in the planning and implementation of peace initiatives, and organizing regular dialogue sessions on peaceful coexistence and rejecting hate speech.
At the conclusion of its “Peace Message” activity, the community called for greater participation of children and women in community activities, stronger partnerships with community leaders and civil society organizations, and the continued use of arts and cultural activities as a means of spreading messages of peace. It also emphasized documenting the outcomes of activities and using them to inform the design of future initiatives and projects.
Around 100 young people, children, women, and other community members participated in the activity, which aimed to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and social cohesion within the camp.
Nabaa Abdullah, a member of the Projects and Programs Office of the “Waei” community, told Mashaweer that the “Peace Message” activity represents a practical step in the youth community’s efforts to promote a culture of peace and strengthen social cohesion in Kiryandongo.
She emphasized that “the activity demonstrated the importance of providing spaces for young people and community members to participate, express themselves, and work together for peace.”
She noted that “participation in the Peace Mural, the Peace Charter, and the cultural and recreational activities confirmed that peace is a shared responsibility that begins with individuals and expands through cooperation and collective action.”
