The National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) at the University of Juba conducted a 10 days training on transformational leadership, conflict management and sexual gender based violence to youth groups from Yei River state. The training took place at the Episcopal Presbyterian church compound from 9th to 18th October 2018 and brought together 32 participants (24 men and 8 women) that represented Youth Groups, Women’s Groups, Traditional Chiefs and Religious Leaders, Army and the Legislative Assembly.
The training aimed at enhancing the participant’s knowledge and skills on transformational leadership, sexual gender based violence, conflict management, peacebuilding, advocacy, communication, networking, use and abuse of power, local and international etiquette protocol, dialogue and mediation. The sessions covered the impact of the on-going conflicts and gendered norms infringing women and girls’ rights. Adult learning techniques and learner-centered methods, interactive lectures, demonstrations, group discussion and presentations were employed to prompt information and experience sharing among participants.
Amidst the sessions, the participants consistently raised concerns that were openly discussed and resolved. Interestingly, a strong network for information and experience sharing as well as conflict early warning and social co-existence were established. Discriminatory cultural practices against women and girls like sexual gender based violence were persistently echoed. Similarly, mindsets were utterly transformed on matters related to wealth creation, investment and saving.
The participants appreciated the efforts of the National Transformational Leadership Institute and UNDP for excellent facilitation and expressed their intentions to form local peace committees in all the counties which will be instrumental in restoring peace through dialogue, mediation and reconciliation. From participants’ actions plans, UNDP-PACC project was requested to continue strengthening the capacity of youth groups to enable them form peace committees that will reach out to more unemployed youth groups.