UNHCR Opens Youth Resource Centers in South Sudan to Empower Youth and Transform Communities

By Denilson Deneki

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has taken a significant step towards empowering the youth in South Sudan by inaugurating two multi-purpose youth resource centers in Magwi and Torit. Funded by the European Union, these centers aim to tackle the issue of youth unemployment by providing space for creativity, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among young people in Eastern Equatoria State.

According to Kelly, a representative of UNHCR, the centers are crucial for not just enabling individual growth but also shaping the future of the country. 

She emphasized, “We want to talk about the skills the youth have to rebuild their country… just a little bit of support to get you going.” The youth in South Sudan have been described as having clear visions and ambitions for their communities and nation, making these centers vital for nurturing their potential.

Diana Janse, a state secretary of the Swedish Embassy in South Sudan, highlighted the importance of continued development and investment in the youth. She stressed that the responsibility now lies with the youth and the state to maximize the opportunities provided by these new spaces for long-term progress and sustainable development.

Youth representatives from Torit and Magwi counties expressed gratitude towards UNHCR for establishing these multipurpose centers, which include computer desktops and hosting facilities. The youth see the centers as not only places of interest but also as platforms for social interactions and peace promotion.

In response to the rise in crime attributed to high levels of unemployment in Eastern Equatoria State, Samson Lokiru, Secretary General for Eastern Equatoria State Youth Union, underscored the urgent need for programs that bring young people together. He emphasized that the youth centers can help address issues such as armed robberies and cattle raiding by providing avenues for positive engagement and skill-building.

Marget Idwa Okuye, the Eastern Equatoria State Minister for Youth, Culture, and Sports, commended UNHCR and the European Union for their efforts in constructing the resource centers. She highlighted the centers’ role in empowering returnees and enabling them to participate in transformative activities.

With an estimated total cost of over 400,000 USD, the establishment of these youth resource centers signifies a crucial investment in the future of South Sudan. As the young generation collaborates and grows within these spaces, hopes are high for a more empowered and unified youth population driving positive change across the region.