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Celebrating UN and UNESCO@75 with Youth-led organizations in Eastern Africa
Sugur Development Agency SDA a youthled organization from Uganda was selected from a call for expression of interest targeting youth organizations from the 13 countries covered by the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa in celebration of UNESCO75 and the longstanding commitment within the Social and Human Sciences Sector for meaningfully engaging with youth This announcement coincides with the Africa Youth Day 1st November a Day set aside by the Africa Union to promote the increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change economic growth and sustainable development in all areas of African society
This contest was launched in 2020 with a view to emulate the participation of youthled organizations in the commemorate of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations 2020 as well as that of UNESCO 2021 echoing in this regard the mandate of UNESCO to build peace in the minds of men and women as upheld by the founding fathers of the Organization
Submissions were therefore invited for innovative ideas and proposals in the way youthled organizations can support UNESCOs mandate notably in the field of Social and Human Sciences with about 250 proposals received mainly from Kenya Uganda Tanzania South Sudan Madagascar Somalia and Rwanda
The proposal from Sugur Development Agency SDA entitled The Step UpYouth Voices for a Just and Sustainable Future project was singled out for its originality and ambition to raise up the voices of youth groups at the frontlines in Uganda to support a transformational shift that ensures gender justice and equality enabling everyone to live their lives in dignity free from conflict and from the fear of violence oppression discrimination or injustice in a way that protects the planetary systems required to sustain all life on earth
A USD 10000 Grant will be provided by UNESCO to support the implementation of this proposal that will be executed through four main components i crowdsourcing the initiatives ii hearing the stories iii sharing the learning enriching insights and iv delivering the messages
This process reaffirms UNESCOs commitment to its Operational Strategy on Youth 20142021 and further contributes to the implementation of UNSCR 2250 on Youth Peace and Security as well as the AU Vision 2063 and its Aspiration 7 Above us UNESCO is resolved to putting the youth at the driving seat in the coshaping and codelivery of social innovation and positive transformations they want to see in the communities for a sustainable development and lasting peace inspired ad led by the youth themselves
About Sugur Development Agency SDA
The SDA is and indigenous NGO in Uganda committed to work for the improvement of human rights through the provision of quality technical and advisory services in areas of human rights gender mainstreaming climate change good governance and sustainable development with a vision to promote human rights justice and peace through research education policy advocacy as well as fighting corruption and social injustice The SDA projects and activities potentially focus on civic empowerment through basic trainings and sensitization in order to empower the masses to take action in the demand for accountability
