The Government of The Gambia has recognised the important role the Peace Ambassadors The Gambia (PAG) is playing in ensuring durable peace, security, and youth development," said the Gambian Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sheriff M.L Gomez. The statement was delivered on his behalf by the deputy director of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sutay Jawo during the weeken at the official opening of a two days training for youths at the Regional Education Office in Kanifing. The two days training focuses on Peace Education and Non-Violence and is aimed at "Broaden the knowledge, skills and awareness of young people to enable them promote peace and to deal with violence in the communities as youths". Deputy Director said that PAG has been in the forefront in youth development, peace and security, at which, he recalled, various training and international camps PAG has rendered to the country and the region. According to him, PAG has also in their efforts as peace educators and advocated, has promote congress of tolerance in the minds of young people aimed at promoting the idea of culture of peace. PAG through their activities has also cultivate in the minds of young people the sprit of serving oneself and the love for humanity and to strive for their welfare. He added, " Your support to the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCOF) for the past years adding that " the minister of Youth and Sports, has convey his congratulation to your organisation for been awarded the most outstanding youth organisation in row .i.e 2008 and 2010. " I the honorable minister Gomez hereby thanking your executive secretary Fabakary Kalleh for been nominated the Chairperson of the National Youth Council, and I promise you that I am a member of PAG and will continued to be a member, as I subscribed to your aims and objectives", the message was relayed by the deputy director Jawo to the gathering. Mr. Jawo disclosed that PAG is a pioneer of peace education and advocacy oranisation in the country, which he stated that peace building is one of the pillars of Gambian policy. Deputy director explained that the international community is calling for greater youth participation in national development efforts, adding that the govenment of The Gambia under the dynamic leadership of President Yahya Jammeh an enabling environment has been created for the youths citing the creation of the National Youth Council, NEDI amongst other institution in the country. The government of The Gambia, he added, has formulated via through consultation process has developed the national youth policy, stating that the policy is a high level discussion aimed at mainstreaming youth development within the national framework and also focuses on youth as key instruments in setting the pace for national development. He urged the young people to take a proactive stand and responsibility in creating a better future for them. According to Jawo, with the efforts of PAG, he is certain that the future of The gambia in maintaining peace and stability in the region is certain adding that " if a nation want a change, it must rely on its youths for the development of its future". He told youth to nurture peace in their minds, write about peace, build peace, eat peace, think about peace, if they want to be true peace advocated but was quick to say that peace education goes with change of oneself. As peace educators, "you need to have self esteem, self belief so as to be an agent of change", he added, "your knowledge has to go with charter as youth advocates so as it can benefit your country, the region and the world at large", he pointed out. He then prayed for PAG executives, member of the organisation for the continue growing of the organisation. He salute PAG for their foresight in promoting positive role models. Mr. Njundu Drammeh Honorable Member of PAG told the gathering that he believes in the same cause that PAG believes. Mr. Drammeh also reaffirmed the words of Mr. Jawo saying that Peace Ambassadors The Gambia is the most organised youth organisation in The Gambia, he continued, " I am not saying appologie to my statement, I stand by my facts and to say it anywhere both in The Gambia and outside. The work of PAG, he went on "is no secret to all of us here presence as I can attest to the work they has have did in the country in the areas of youth work." According to him, the future of young people in the country is bright sating that with the calibre of youth that consist PAG, he have no doubt that political peace, economic peace, will prevailed in the country. He told youth that such training is an opportunity for all youths to be peace advocates and educators in the communities adding that ' if we want to excell in our work as peace educators, we need to go for both formal and informal education noting that education shuould be the tool. He urged them to be networking, build close relationship among themselves as peace educators and have the same mental thinking in peace education. Mr Lamin M Sanyang President Of PAG, Isatou Bittaye PAG Faculty member all spoke at the official opening, chaired by Mr. Abdou Boye Programme Coordinator and the vote of thanks was delivered by Madam Jarria Jatta a participant.
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