World Peace Initiative mentors youths, gives award

World Peace Initiative, recently organised the African Peace Summit for African Young Leaders in Nairobi, Kenya. Drawing young people from different countries in Africa, the four-day event held at the Kenyatta University, Nairobi, probed into the integral part of sustainable peace in Africa.

Speaking at the opening, Director, World Peace Initiative, Worakate Thangsurkbul, said, peace initiative in any community can begin with an individual ––you and me.

Taking on the role of media in peace building, Daniel Nwaeze from Nigeria and representing African Youth Movement (AYM), said, “If terrorist groups can use media for terrorism and violent extremism, youths can use it for peace building and counter violent extremism.

The media can shape perceptions, move people towards action and call government to attention, as we saw with #Bringbackourgirls in Nigeria.”

Noting that religion is the major cause of conflict in Africa, another session saw the presence of various religious leaders who spoke on the need for religious leaders to deal on issues that would sustain spirituality, love and peace.

In his keynote, Dr. Umar Johnson, urged young African leaders to steer Africa out of its currently poverty stricken state, adding that the youth should see the continent as a single entity, rather than a configuration of states. He urged them to keep developing their communities, instead of travelling to other continents, saying, life outside Africa is not as encouraging and soothing as everyone sees it.

The climax of the event was the presentation of the African Peace Builder Award to Arielle Ahouansou from Benin.

Ahouansou, 23, is a medical doctor from Benin Republic. She has been working with Benin youths and through the ‘Illuminate Life Of 2000 children’ of her NGO, Refeld Benin, shegave educational materials to 2000 children. Her passion for peace and sharing knowledge made her a worthy candidate for the award.

Speaking to Campusnews on the award she said, “I am definitively aware of the fact that I have to give back to my community by investing more of myself in that community, to help them experience real inner peace.”