Norwegian People’s Aid or NPA and Rumbek Youth and Sports Association or RYSA will launch a three-day cultural festival in Rumbek, Lakes State where ten thousand youths from three states will participate to boost peace in South Sudan.
NPA Program Coordinator Boboya James Edmond said the festival that starts on Friday and end on Sunday is the first of its kind, meant to promote peace among different ethnic groups from Central, Western Equatoria and Lakes States.
He said coming together to share utilities and sport activities are mechanisms for peace building.
Mr Boboya said youths will wrestle among tribal groups including Dinka, Mundari and Jur Chol.
He dismissed speculations that different ethnic groups always clash when they come together, explaining that youths came up with the initiative to promote peaceful co-existence.
Mr Boboya said youths should have good principles of governance, accountability, transparency, peace, democracy and development to move the country forward.
He believes investing in youths builds a bright future for the country.
Boboya added that the festival’s activities will drive participants to learn unity and respect for cultural diversity and that the pilot project in peace building would be extended to other states if it succeeds.