Empowering Africa’s youth as peacebuilders is a growing priority and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with a shared vision to empower Africa’s youth to become powerful agents of peace is leading the efforts in driving across the change.
The Centre, as parts of its youth-led initiatives, has concluded a two-day Learning Design and Development (LDD) workshop, held from January 29th to 31st, marking a crucial step in this journey, to equip young people to become powerful agents of peace.
The workshop, funded by the Government of Sweden through SIDA, brought together subject matter experts to finalize a comprehensive training manual designed specifically for young peace leaders across
the continent.
Africa’s youth, a demographic brimming with potential, represent a powerful force for positive change. With a significant portion of the population under 30, their capacity to shape the future of the continent is immense. However, this potential is often hampered by the complex realities of social and economic challenges, including conflict, unemployment, and marginalization. Young people are disproportionately affected by violence, sometimes even drawn into it, facing issues ranging from election-related unrest to the growing threat of cybercrime.
YPS
Recognizing the urgent need to address these challenges, the KAIPTC’s Youth Peace and Security (YPS) Programme is committed to enhancing the leadership skills of young Africans and fostering their active participation in peacebuilding efforts.
Central to this mission is the development of a comprehensive training manual, a resource that will equip young leaders with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of peace and security in their communities.
The LDD workshop served as the vessel for this vital manual. Experts from organizations like the UNFPA, the Commonwealth Students Council, the All-Africa Students Union, and the International Peace Support Training Centre (ISPSTC) of Kenya, alongside representatives from Ghana’s National Youth Authority, civil society organizations, collaborated to create a curriculum that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of young peacebuilders.
This isn’t just a theoretical exercise, as, the Programme Specialist at the West and Central African Regional Officer in charge of Youth, Peace, and Security at the UNFPA, explained, “Our engagements with KAIPTC and key partners in West and East Africa have highlighted a significant capacity gap among young people.
This manual will be instrumental in scaling up our capacity-building efforts and making a real difference in peace and security across the regions”.
Training Components
The manual will cover a range of critical areas, including leadership and ethics, advocacy and activism, peacebuilding principles, project management, communication for leadership, negotiation and mediation skills, emerging security threats, and resource management.
“These aren’t just abstract concepts; they are the practical skills needed to make a tangible difference on the ground”, the acting Deputy Director of KAIPTC’s Women, Youth, Peace and Security (WYPSI), Joana Osei-Tutu said.
“Imagine a young leader equipped with the communication skills to mediate a local dispute, or another empowered to launch a community project promoting peace and reconciliation, this is what the manual seeks to ensure by enhancing their leadership skills and foster their active participation in peacebuilding efforts”, Ms. Osei-Tutu said at the opening of the two-day workshop.
The manual, she emphasizes, is a key part of the KAIPTC’s commitment under the YPS Programme to enhance the leadership capacities of young people.
By fostering collaboration among youth, government agencies, and regional organizations, “we aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable peace environment in Africa.” she emphasized
The development of this manual represents more than just the creation of a document; it’s an investment in the future of Africa and a recognition that young people are not just victims of conflict, but also powerful agents of change.
By equipping them with the right skills and knowledge, the KAIPTC and its partners are empowering a generation to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the continent.
