Sub-regional conference “Youth for Peace” on issues of peace consolidation in the Great Lakes sub-region

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary announced that the official opening of the Peace and Reconciliation Program in Burundi and the Great Lakes Region under the theme “Youth for Peace” on issues of peace consolidation in the sub-region -Great Lakes region for the 1^St  Edition, arrives at the right time. Certainly, the Great Lakes region has been plagued by the perpetual conflict for decades and has experienced some of the worst wars on the continent. That is therefore appropriated to creating a common space for the dialogue, sharing of knowledge and discussing the major challenges linked to the conflicts in the sub-region and the possibilities for lasting peace through the effective and active involvement of the young people. In decision-making and peace processes at all levels. He also indicated that that meeting resonates in a particular way for Burundi which has a great attachment to the inclusion, participation and promotion of the young people. The President of the Republic, at the same time, the Champion of the African Union for the promotion of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, has always considered the youth as an opportunity for the continent, he added.
Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO reminded the participants that the transformative force of the young Africans is essential to the economic recovery of the continent. However, peace and security are a prerequisite for any sustainable development ambition. The Job creation and the support for the youth then constitute an essential bulwarks for the consolidation of peace and security.
On November 28, 2023, in the Porta Sion/Mont Sion Gikungu Room, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO proceeded to the official opening of the sub-regional conference of two (2) days “Youth for Peace” on issues of peace consolidation in the Great Lakes sub-region.
   

As for the speeches of Monsignor Salvator NICITERETSE, Bishop of the Diocese of Bururi and Herménégilde COYITUNGIYE, the Father Superior of the Community of the Fathers of Shoenstatt and the President of the Steering Committee of the Peace and Reconciliation Project all pointed out that the Catholic Church of Burundi since 2004, has undertaken a culture of peace and reconciliation project until today with a view to consolidating the social cohesion in the country and in the sub-region with a view to having a peaceful, prosperous and peaceful country or countries reconciled.
According to Monsignor Salvator NICITERETSE, they organized the training workshops at the national, diocesan and even parish level for leaders of political parties, leaders of the administration and the different services, security and defense forces, forums for thousands of young people, apostolic workers (priests, religious and lay people). They certainly receive those initiatives which support the efforts of the Government, their Churches and all civil society organizations and other churches and religious denominations which work for peace and reconciliation.
Note also that that conference was organized by the Community of Fathers of Schoenstatt of Mont Sion Gikungu via the Coordination Office of the Peace and Reconciliation Project in Burundi and the Great Lakes region in collaboration with the University of Burundi and the Diocese of Bururi with the financial support of the State of Baden-Württemberg, the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart and the Archdiocese of Freiburg in Germany.

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