'Youths for peace; Together making it happen!'

The second East Africa Youth Conference took place from 7-12 February, 2012 at the Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, Kampala, Uganda. A detailed eight page report of is now available and can be downloaded in PDF here.

Delegates explored practical ways to respond to conflict and violence in the region. It featured speakers with a great wealth of knowledge and experience in peace initiatives from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. During the week, participants brainstormed and shared on issues including the role of civil society as well as accountability and values as part of good governance, Peace and security challenges in Africa, the role of non-violence in conflict transformation and youths as a pillar to building sustainable peace.

The conference gave way to a safe space for sharing and bonding through the creation of smaller family groups. Reflections gave a chance for delegates to inwardly audit their role as peace ambassadors through the four absolute values of purity, honesty, unselfishness, and love that are upheld in Initiatiaves of Change (IofC). During the leading the way sessions, participants heard stories of change shared by young people as a form of inspiration.

Besides the plenary and inner development sessions, the participants also had a chance to build their skills through four workshops that were run concurrently. They included

• Forgiveness by Dr Karambu Ringera, a peace activist from Kenya
• Peace through theatre by Gerosome Mayanja, a creative peace trainer in the area of conflict resolution from Uganda
• Communications Skills by Dan Mugera, a public speaker and coach based in Kenya
• Project Management by Patrick Kagenda, Project Manager for community development, from Uganda.

Participants also engaged in an open discussion exploring the theme, 'Is the best of peace or the worst of conflict coming to Africa?' They looked at the hope of Africa as a peaceful continent in the future and challenges towards attaining that culture of peace and stability. Afterwards, each country had an opportunity to plant a tree at the conference venue as a commitment to make peace real both in their lives and the community around them. As a way of taking it home, the delegates also created commitments they would engage in their respective countries.

A detailed eight page report of is now available and can be downloaded in PDF here.