SOUTH SUDAN / SUSTAINABLE PEACE UNIVERSTIY DEBATE

TITLE: SOUTH SUDAN / SUSTAINABLE PEACE UNIVERSITY DEBATE
TRT: 2:33
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 19 SEPTEMBER 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

SHOTLIST:

DATELINE: 19 SEPTEMBER 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

1. Various shots, debate
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mabil James Madit, Law student:
“We are the vast majority of the population. 72 percent of South Sudan is youth. What that means is our voices are actually very fundamental. We are the ones engaging in war. We are the ones that are being recruited by parties. It means there is a very serious mandate of the young people in terms of actually shaping and building a society that is peaceful; a society that does not resort to conflict when there are disputes.”
3. Various shots, debate
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stella Paulily, Law Student:
“At this point we have to make sure that our voices are being heard. We try, by all means, to speak out our voices, even if not in general, but we give representatives. We give out people who can represent our voices out there, so that when it comes to time that we are the ones to take over the country, we make sure we have a sustainable development, peaceful development in the country.”
5. Various shots, debate
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Deng Kur Mading, President, South Sudan General Students’ Union:
“Our intention is not only to provide the students with the platform to discuss ideas, but also to make sure that the students of South Sudan have an active participation in politics and nation building.”
7. Various shots, debate
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ndubisi Obiorah, Senior Political Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
“As we as we are working towards the preparations for elections in South Sudan in December 2024. It is important that young people, the future leaders of South Sudan should be able to learn how to debate issues of governance, constitutional governance and peacebuilding in a peaceful manner as a preparation for the elections next year.”

STORYLINE:

There’s a global consensus on the importance of young people actively participating in the political life of any nation. South Sudan, the world’s newest country, is no exception, as students participating in an inter-university debate in Juba demonstrated.

SOUNDBITE (English) Mabil James Madit, Law student:
“We are the vast majority of the population. 72 percent of South Sudan is youth. What that means is our voices are actually very fundamental. We are the ones engaging in war. We are the ones that are being recruited by parties. It means there is a very serious mandate of the young people in terms of actually shaping and building a society that is peaceful; a society that does not resort to conflict when there are disputes.”

Some 400 students from four universities participated in this UNMISS-facilitated event and eloquently spoke on gender issues, constitution-making, and fostering critical thinking and youth leadership, and, above all, promoting effective governance and peace.

SOUNDBITE (English) Stella Paulily, Law Student:
“At this point we have to make sure that our voices are being heard. We try, by all means, to speak out our voices, even if not in general, but we give representatives. We give out people who can represent our voices out there, so that when it comes to time that we are the ones to take over the country, we make sure we have a sustainable development, peaceful development in the country.”

Hosted in partnership with the South Sudan General Students Union, the debate aimed at keeping students informed of ongoing political processes as well as encouraging them to embrace diverse perspectives.

SOUNDBITE (English) Deng Kur Mading, President, South Sudan General Students’ Union:
“Our intention is not only to provide the students with the platform to discuss ideas, but also to make sure that the students of South Sudan have an active participation in politics and nation building.”

For UNMISS, student involvement in the public life of this young nation is critical not only to fully realize their rights as South Sudanese citizens but also to overcome obstacles hindering their meaningful participation in civic discussions.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ndubisi Obiorah, Senior Political Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
“As we as we are working towards the preparations for elections in South Sudan in December 2024. It is important that young people, the future leaders of South Sudan should be able to learn how to debate issues of governance, constitutional governance and peacebuilding in a peaceful manner as a preparation for the elections next year.”