A number of young people who live in informal settlements around Honiara city learned ways to become active peace builders during a peace-building workshop last week.
The training was part of a collaborative effort between the United Nations Peace Building Fund (UN PBF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations (UN) Woman and Youth@Work.
At the end of the training these young people who have been part of the training, shared their reflections on what they have learnt.
“I have learnt about intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. It’s like at first I have difficulty in communicating well.
“Now I can communicate clearly as I have knowledge of Peace building as a means of removing conflict,” a participant Jethro Siosi said.
He added, “From this I will start a business in using these skills. I will study the character of people with the intention of finding ways to influence my customers.
“The kind of business I have in mind is making money to help my community instead of aiming for a profit,” he said.
Wilma too shared the same sentiments of learning new things that made her reflect on the actions she has taken and having been inspired to do things differently.
She said, “To become a peace builder and influence my peers to do the same, I must first change my behavior to make a difference.”
Wilma Ramo revealed that she has learned a lot and planned that after; “I would find time to talk to my peers in the area where I live. I believe in doing so, they would see things differently and become peace builders as well.”
The workshop was held over two weeks and those who attended were young people from Burns Creek, Lunga, Borderline and Green valley communities.
Facilitator Chief Reconciliation Officer Moses Aipuru said he has also learned a lot from the youths who attended.
“There’s active participation by these young people and it shows that they are continuously learning and I believe they are getting something out from the training,” Mr Aipuru said.
This training is part of an entrepreneurship initiative, where young people will eventually set-up their small businesses, enabling them to become economically empowered.
