About 30 people mainly from Lakes State are learning skills to prevent referendum violence and how to deal with it.
Linda Bishai, a senior programme officer at the United States Institute of Peace, said the three-day workshop covers democracy and citizenship, skills for resolving conflicts by promoting negotiation and mediation, and styles of conflict.The workshop will also present the experience of other countries that had a referendum on unity or secession, including a look at possible causes for violence.
Ms. Bishai expressed hope that the participants would spread the skills acquired during the workshop to the rest of the community, bringing about a wider understanding of how violence can erupt and ways to manage it.
Ms. Bishai said her team conducted a similar referendum-oriented workshop in Juba in October.
She added that the workshops have limited impact but the knowledge they impart goes beyond the referendum.
Ms. Bishai insisted on the importance of active participation in the referendum through registration and voting.
She urged citizens to stay engaged about political decisions, hold their elected officials accountable, and be involved and exercise their political rights.