Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    Somali Minister of Ports Joins Global Leaders at Istanbul Transport Connectivity Forum
    June 27, 2025
    Djibouti Erupts in Grand Celebration Marking 47 Years of Independence
    June 27, 2025
    President Hassan Sheikh Sends Congratulatory Message to Djibouti, Reaffirming Strong Bilateral Ties
    June 27, 2025
    Djibouti Marks 48th Anniversary of Independence Amidst Celebrations and Historical Reflection
    June 27, 2025
    Joint Somalia Operation Decimates Al-Shabaab Leadership Hub and Arms Cache in Aden Yabaal
    June 27, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Protests intensify in Los Angeles after Trump deploys hundreds of National Guard troops
    June 9, 2025
    31 Palestinians are killed heading to a Gaza aid site, witnesses say. Israel denies responsibility
    June 7, 2025
    Hajj Season 1446 AH: Synergy Between Technology and Humanity in Serving the Guests of Allah
    June 6, 2025
    Machine Gun, AK-47 Rifles Recovered as 4 Al-Shabaab Terrorists are Killed in Garissa
    June 3, 2025
    Israel kills 2 Gaza aid seekers as UN warns of ‘catastrophic hunger’
    May 31, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    Reviving Somalia’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector: A Path Toward Economic Resilience and Cultural Renaissance
    June 21, 2025
    Somalia’s Strategic Path in a Resurgent China-Africa Partnership
    June 12, 2025
    Remarks on Somalia’s participation in the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo
    June 13, 2025
    Hajj Season 1446 AH: Synergy Between Technology and Humanity in Serving the Guests of Allah
    June 6, 2025
    Wind power turbines line a mountain range in Ji’an, Jiangxi province, July 9, 2022.
    What China’s climate action means for the planet’s future?
    June 5, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
    Collaboration of ICT transformation for digital Infrastructure
    October 24, 2023
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Mogadishu Stadium to Host Star-Studded Match Featuring Somali Legends and International Football Icons
    May 27, 2025
    Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues
    January 5, 2025
    Galmudug wins the Inter-State Football Tournament
    January 29, 2024
    Somalia set for two int’l friendlies ahead of WC qualifier clashes against Algeria and Uganda
    October 10, 2023
    Chicago woman, 104, skydives from plane, aiming for record as the world’s oldest skydiver
    October 3, 2023
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
    Quay Renovation Works – Supply and Installation of Fenders and Bollards
    April 11, 2025
Reading: Shaping peace together: Somali youth as change-makers
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > News > Shaping peace together: Somali youth as change-makers
News

Shaping peace together: Somali youth as change-makers

By Osman
Last updated: September 23, 2020
6 Min Read
Share

Mogadishu(SONNA) – Somalia’s youth need to be change-makers and actively take part in politics, reconciliation, peace-building, elections and ongoing efforts to help develop their country – this was the main message stemming from a recent panel discussion which brought together more than 30 youth representing different parts of Somali society.

“A country is saved by its youth. It is the youth who lead in all efforts to bring change, hence it is good for the youth to also participate in politics and to be part of the positive change and development in the country,” the Executive Director of the Somali Youth Civic Organization (SYCO), Abdiwasa Idriss Jelle, said at the gathering, held at a venue in Mogadishu this past Monday.

The event was organized by SYCO, a local non-governmental organization which focuses on youth development and leadership, de-radicalization and livelihoods, with the support of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Held on the International Day of Peace, celebrated globally on 21 September, the event was aimed at helping empower Somali youth, and underpinned by the belief that youth who are well-informed and engaged are well-placed to help rebuild and transform their country.

The panel discussion brought together youth representatives from many of Somalia’s different clans and different walks of life, including young professionals, university graduates and students. It was also held in the midst of an exacting panorama for Somalia as it engages in preparations for parliamentary and presidential elections, while also dealing with the social and economic consequences of the ‘triple threat’ posed by floods, the highly infectious COVID-19 pandemic, and locust infestation.

The power of youth

Panellists at the event noted that youth in Somalia form around 70 per cent of the population, and broadly urged them to tap into their numerical strength to mobilize for peace and development – with the role of young women particularly highlighted.

“Since women and youth are history makers in Somalia, and play a role in nation-building, we want them to move forward, because we need them to find solutions to the huge challenges we are facing now as a nation,” an activist representing the Somali National Women’s Organization (SNWO), Bilan Mahamud, said in the discussions.

Looking back to Somalia’s history of women’s involvement in national efforts, Ms. Mahamud encouraged participants to emulate the 13 members of the Somali Youth League, and prominent woman activist Hawo Tako, all of whom played critical roles in the country’s path to independence in the 1950s and 1960s.

“Youth must never back down, but instead they need to come out and develop their country,” she added.

Another panellist, Mohamed Shirie, the director of the multi-sectoral platform Somalia Non-State Actors (SONSA), which brings together non-governmental and community-based organizations, highlighted that the topics under discussion were centred on the unavoidable realities faced by Somali youth.

“Our country is reeling from years of conflict and many challenges, and hence we need to motivate youth to actively take part in politics, the upcoming elections and reconciliation efforts,” said Mr. Shirie.

Youth and peace-building

Some attendees said that being able to take part in the discussions helped flesh out their thinking, and motivate them to vie for slots in the upcoming parliamentary elections as well as be more involved in community matters.

Noting the need to have youth avoid becoming radicalized, one participant, Abdiaziz Mahamud Aidid, compared youth to a double-edged sword in that they can be used for both good and bad purposes – and stressed the need for youth to be catalysts of positive change.

“Today, the Somali youth have a huge opportunity to take part in nation-building, to bring political change through the upcoming elections and to take an active role in rebuilding their country,” said Mr. Aidid.

“I have learnt the importance of youth in peacebuilding and I am now motivated to take part in politics and peace-building. I also have realized how valuable I am as a youth to the community,” said another attendee, Fatuma Abdullahi Mahamud.

The UN Security Council has highlighted, through resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535, the key role that young people can play in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace-building and sustaining peace, as well as the importance of facilitating youth participation and leadership in these areas, as well as the importance of facilitating youth participation spaces.

At a recent Council meeting on youth, peace and security, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, emphasized that the involvement of youth in peace initiatives is a must.

“We must build on the fact that the active participation and inclusion of young people in political processes in peace-building is no longer viewed as optional or as an afterthought. It has rightly become one of the cornerstones of the sustaining peace agenda,” said Ms. DiCarlo.

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

Official Reopening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archives

CultureEducationLocal News
November 23, 2024

Kenya’s small farmers find respite in avocados amid changing climate

NAIROBI(SONNA) As crop diseases and pests rise in Kenya amid a rapidly changing climate that…

March 11, 2023

Al-Shabaab Mafia Inc.: The Groundbreaking Somali-Led Revelation That Shattered the Terrorist Group’s Secrecy

Editorial Review, SONNA — on Al-Shabaab Mafia Inc: The Book Al-Shabaab Swore to Burn Al-Shabaab…

June 28, 2025

Nimcaan Hilaac appointed to lead Waberi National Band

Mogadishu (SONNA)-Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed…

March 3, 2020

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Renegotiated Concession Agreement For Mogadishu Port

Mogadishu (SONNA)-The Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Mariam Aweis Jama, signed a 14-year Concession Agreement with the Albayrak Group…

News
October 8, 2020

Galmudug’s Darawish forces conducted security operations in southern Galmudug

Mogdisho(SONNA)-Galmudug's Darawish forces have today carried out security operations in many parts of southern Mudug region,SONNA reported. Commanders from the…

ArticlesLocal NewsNews
January 14, 2022

Prime Minister’s Message On International Workers’ Day

Mogadishu(SONNA)-Today, we stop a moment to reflect on the remarkable services Somali workers have rendered to citizens since inception. It…

Local NewsNews
May 2, 2020

IMF Staff Completes Second Review under the Staff-Monitored Program for Somalia and Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on a New Three-Year Reform Program

Mogadishu (SONNA)- The Somali authorities and the IMF mission team reached a staff-level agreement on the completion of the second…

Local NewsNewsWorld News
January 27, 2020

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?