CITAD organises dialogue on role of youth in peace building
Story from Shafa’atu DAUDA, Kano
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) held a critical knowledge production dialogue on youth and peace building on Wednesday 29th July 2022.
Panellists at the dialogue were Dr Ruqayyah Aliyu Yusuf of the department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano and Ibrahim Mohammed Machina of the department of Political Science, Federal University, Gashua, while Dr Halima K. Sani of the Federal College of Education, Kano served as the moderator.
The dialogue was organised with support from Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, aimed at promoting critical thinking among youth and excel in playing a role in providing and promoting peace in the society.
The programme which was conducted at the Kano State Polytechnic (School Of Management Studies Unit) focused on youths who have a vital and critical role to play in peace building, restoration and prevention of conflict in society.
Dr Ibrahim Machina said that the inclusion of young people in peace-building processes was to facilitate sustainable peace in a society, by redirecting the energies of young people to the implementation of constructive peace projects.
He added that the incorporation and utilisation of youths in peace-building processes would facilitate their transformation from agents of violent conflict to agents of peace in their societies.
Ibrahim Machina also explained that the world today is passing through an environment full of tension, violence, injustice, reduced tolerance and disrespect for human rights. The concern of the humankind for peace can be assessed by taking into account the fact that religions, scriptures and several religious ceremonies are committed to the cause of peace.
He said that young people who have experienced conflict first-hand have a vital role to play in peace building. They have a clear vision of what peace could look like in their communities and have the drive to work towards the realisation of these goals.
On her part, Dr Ruqayyah Aliyu explained that hate speech has always existed; its ever-growing impact fuelled by digital communication can be devastating not only for the specific individuals and groups that are targeted but also for societies at large.
Dr Ruqayyah also said that hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability and peace. As a matter of principle, hate speech must be confronted at every turn and be tackled in order to prevent armed conflicts, atrocities, crimes and terrorism; end violence against women and other serious violations of human rights, and promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies.
She called on Nigerian youths to shun hate speech and sentiments capable of triggering crisis, and violence and to embrace unity and harmony for peaceful co-existence and progress of the country.
Also, Dr Ruqayyah called on the youths to use different social media platforms positively in promoting peaceful coexistence and avoid hate speech as well as other malicious posts.
She noted that hate speech when left unaddressed could lead to violence or hate crimes against marginalised groups, stressing that hate speech was capable of destroying a country.
The communication expert also added that there is positive anecdotal evidence that social media can contribute to peace-building by improving knowledge for conflict prevention and increasing contact and understanding between opposing groups.
Therefore, Dr Ruqayyah explained that youths can use social media to facilitate peace by encouraging valuable dialogue between people from different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds.
Also speaking, CITAD Critical Knowledge Production Dialogue Coordinator, Dr M.A Aminu, said CITAD will continue to work with youths, especially in areas of peace building.
He also said that CITAD will continue to work hard to build a strong and permanent atmosphere for peace to reign.
“Every individual is integral to peace building; therefore everyone should understand the importance of peace and work towards achieving it. The world will not be a better place without peace, Dr Aminu added.
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