Arusha: 14 Youth Trainers refreshed in training techniques and methods for 5 days

After a series of mini trainings organized in DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania by youth trained in April 2022 in Kigali as youth trainers, a refresher training was organized in Arusha Tanzania, to make an assessment of the first round of local mini-trainings organized. In general, the objective was around to build the capacity of the youth trainers (TOTs graduates) around specific themes and with a preparation for the next three rounds of mini-trainings that should be organized by the same youths in their communities in 2023, starting in January.

The Great Lakes Youth Network for Dialogue and Peace is a consortium of six non-governmental organizations: Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany), Pole Institute (DRC), Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (Rwanda), Cornerstone Development Africa & LéO Africa Institute (Uganda) and Actions for Democracy and Local Governance (Tanzania). The project aims to contribute to peace and stability in the region of the great lakes by directly promoting the active, cooperative, sustainable, and positive role of more than 100 youth initiatives and creating a strong network between them.

These youth TOTs Graduates who traveled to Arusha were able to organize an average of four mini-trainings in their respective countries, which brought together more than 500 youth and local leaders. In Uganda, the local mini-trainings were organized in the following regions of Western Uganda and Central Uganda respectively in Masinda, Kasese, Lyantonde and Mukono. Under the same format, in DR Congo, the local mini-trainings were organized in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri more precisely in Goma, Beni, Masisi, Bukavu and Bunia. In Rwanda, youth trainers targeted Kigali, Nyagatare and Bugesera. Finally, in Tanzania, they took place in Kagera and Mwanza. These environments were chosen according to the field of action Youth initiatives but also according to the needs of youth and local leaders.

During the four phases of the local mini trainings, the ToTs Graduates will strengthen the capacity of their peers and local leaders on very important topics in peacebuilding and maintaining dialogue in the Great Lakes region such as non-violent communication, advocacy, organizational development, gender, the use of social media, entrepreneurship, mediation and conflict resolution, etc. These are opportunities for these young people to share knowledge, network and learn on their own. These trainings are organised by ToT Graduates and the project has provided technical and financial support to cover the logistical aspects.

During their stay in Arusha, the ToTs Graduates had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of the East African Community. The East African Community is an important stakeholder in the project and in the regional integration process in East Africa and the Great Lakes region. During the visit, the youth and the project team participated in the closing session of the fourth legislature of the Parliament of the Community and exchanged views with different members of parliament on several topics of concern to the youth.