The youth should be more conversant with regional issues in order to effectively play their role in the implementation of the pact on peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes Region, a ministry official has urged.

Ambassador Joseph Mutaboba, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Internal Security, said on Thursday that the youth have all the information about the region and only need confidence to carry out their mission.  

"You are very young and energetic and still capable of moving around the region making awareness campaigns through workshops,” he said

Mutaboba who is also the National Coordinator in the International Conference in the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) was speaking to Rwandan youths at a one-day workshop at Hotel Novotel, Umubano.

Giving a feedback presentation and update on the youth’s participation in the ICGLR process, Ronald Nkusi, who is a member of the taskforce said that they have come up with an action plan to create awareness through sensitisation workshops in provinces. They also use the media, both print and electronic.

"As the youth, we are aware of the projects and protocols regarding the ICGLR and its now our duty to create awareness through different channels in order to reach the masses,” Nkusi said. 

Dr Richard Sezibera, the Special Envoy of President Paul Kagame in the Great Lakes Region and the national coordinator of ICGLR advised the youth taskforce to come up with an annual action plan to help them implement their strategies.

The first ICGLR, organised under the auspices of the UN and the African Union, took place in Dar salaam in November 2004.

The Heads of State and Government from Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, signed the declaration aimed at bringing about peace and security, democracy, good governance and development in the region.

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