Recently, Irene Akongo – a WPDI Youth Peacemaker in Uganda’s Acholi Sub-Region – was asked to participate in a panel conversation that aimed to explore the role of youths in promoting civic education. The discussion was broadcast nationally and had a substantial viewership. After the event, we asked Irene to tell us more about the event, her work, and her thoughts for the future.
My name is Irene Akongo and I am a WPDI Youth Peacemaker in Gulu, the largest city in the Acholi Sub-Region. I completed my training with WPDI in 2017 and have since then worked to conduct peacebuilding activities, including training other youths, teaching children in primary and secondary schools about conflict resolution, and mediating disputes in my community.
The recent dialogue I took part in was very aligned with my work as a peacemaker. Its topic was “The Role of Youths in Promoting Civic Education” and, over two hours, I was able to talk with other young people, as well as experts like the Chairperson of the National Council for Civic Education or the United Nations Resident Coordinator, about our experiences and ideas. I feel very strongly about this because I work with youths every day. When I train or work with them, I realize how young people can be advocates for the rights of the underprivileged, how they can undertake projects that will benefit the community. We believe that we can change mindsets and that we can build opportunities for future generations.
Youths can help shape the future. This is what I advocated for. I happened to participate in a youth parliament activity in 2019 and I had the opportunity to meet and interact with young people from across the country. That helped me realize that many of us face similar challenges, like unemployment, intolerance, or neglect. But by promoting civic education, I know that we can build peace, promote reconciliation, and empower youths.
This is what I do when I teach other young people about business and entrepreneurship or how to mediate conflicts that they encounter in their daily lives. Thanks to WPDI, I have the tools and skills as well as the confidence to help develop civic education in my community and opportunities to speak to others about how they, too, can have an impact on their communities.