After five days of deliberations, the 2nd Eastern Africa Youth Conference (EAYC) closed its curtains on Sunday 12 February 2012 with a call to the delegates present to be ambassadors of peace wherever they go. Speaking at the closing ceremony at Pope Paul Memorial, Kampala, Uganda, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, reiterated the value of brotherhood and sisterhood rather than building empires that are never guaranteed, in order to stand tall in the future. ‘We want Africa to rise and shine and that Africa is none other than you and me,’ he asserted.

The ceremony was also attended by board members of Initiatives of Change (IofC)/Moral Re-Armament (MRA) Uganda. Bukombi Goretti, one of the IofC  Uganda board members, reminded the guests that peace is a process that will have to continue. Dorothy Tingu, a full time worker with IofC Uganda, when describing Africa as a continent of hope, took time to remind the Ipad generation that, ‘... tomorrow’s Africa is founded on the sons and daughters of today who will bring about renewal, hope and vision.’ Jamil Sebalu, the Vice-Chairman of IofC/MRA Uganda, highlighted that the youth have been used as perpetrators of violence by selfish politicians in the past, and he urged the youth to shun tribal and religious divisions for the sake of future generations.

The forum brought together about 60 young visionaries to explore 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 within Africa, from Kenya, 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



• youths as a pillar to building sustainable peace.

The conference also played host to guests including the Chief of Defence forces in Uganda, General Aronda Nyakairima and Ambassador John Ntimba, both of whom shared their experience as peacemakers in the military and public service respectively.

Participants also engaged in a honest conversation 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, they engaged in a tree planting exercise at the conference venue as a commitment to making peace real, both in their lives and the community around them.

The conference concluded with participants making commitments to positive actions as a way of making peace happen in the region. One of the delegates wrote, ‘As an African, I commit to stop violence within myself and others.’ Another wrote, ‘I will be a change agent in all spheres of my life, be it social, economical or spiritual, everywhere I go. I will be a peace ambassador daily’.

The theme song for the conference Oh Africa by Sam Oyirwoth inspired and challenged many to appreciate their motherland Africa and work towards upholding her glory. In his song Sam says:

The land flowing with wisdom and honour…oh Africa!
The land flowing with riches and glory …oh Africa!

Oh Africa, rejoice in thy people,
Oh Africa, rise up and take your place!
Oh Africa, rejoice in thy land,
Oh Africa, rise up and take your place!

The next forum will be held in Rwanda, 18–24 February 2013. The vision bearers of EAYC hope that it would be held on a rotational basis in all the nine Eastern Africa countries. In line with this, under the leadership of Mbindyo Kimanthi who was re-elected to serve as the chair of the 3rd EAYC, the vision bearers are expected to create and unveil a strategic plan for the forum.

A detailed forum report will follow soon.