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Commonwealth Day 2017 –‘Promoting peace in Seychelles. Let’s talk solutions!’

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1youthThis year’s Commonwealth Day was celebrated under the theme ‘A Peace Building Commonwealth’ which correlates the core value of international peace and security enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. The theme is to encourage member states to work towards promoting peace in their respective countries.

In a bid to support this objective, an intergeneration dialogue organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) under the theme ‘Promoting Peace in Seychelles. Let’s talk about solutions!’, was held at the Seychelles Trading Company Ltd (STC) conference centre on bois de Rose Avenue.

The dialogue is aimed at identifying solutions on some of the major issues in Seychelles that pose a threat to peace and security in our homes, schools, communities and country. Mainly issues close to the hearts of young people. And for members to propose possible solutions, in the form of policy proposals, to deal with these issues.

Present were the principal secretary for youth & sports Fabian Palmyre; chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence; chairman of SNYC board Ziggy Adam; affiliated partners and members of the SNYC.

The presentations during the event were based on possible threats facing either Seychelles, the world or inter-related.

In his address Mr Laurence said the Commonwealth language is peace and can be found in its theme for this year.

He described it as a language of several other organisations, many countries and that Seychelles is no other than the one who would want to push this agenda even further.

And that is the reason of the gathering where peace can be discussed, what needs to be done like whether we should celebrate it once a year or every now and then, for example.

“We have come here today with this theme with the aim of finding solutions, of knowing what needs to be done, action-oriented,” he said.

Mr Laurence added the aim of the gathering is to bring youths, as well as more experienced people, together not only to share experiences but also provide guidance to the younger generation.

In her presentation, Veronique Morel, second secretary, International Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, talked on the external threats that can also affect Seychelles.

As examples she mentioned decisions taken in a country that can cause threats in another like President Donald Trump’s travel ban; conflicts and stability that can have drastic impacts on other countries in the region like the Syrian civil war and migrant crisis which create huge burden and socio-economic impacts on host countries.

She said we are not immune to these effects because we are a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Our economy which is heavily dependent on imports and tourism, is very vulnerable to regional conflicts.

She also mentioned the global economic crisis of 2008 where the world’s economic system collapsed and Seychelles faced severe debt and financial crisis.

Robert Ah-Weng based his presentation on the very important fabric of peace in Seychelles which he said is civilisation and the individual itself.

He stressed on the importance of building peace within oneself.

He mentioned the various factors affecting peace in Seychelles like abuses in various forms like alcohol, drug, physical, sexual, emotional, negligence, aggression, violence, robbery and criminality.

In order to live and have peace, peace should be in an individual, family, community, region and society.

There was also a youth perspective on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Seychelles and message from Angelique Pouponneau, vice-chair of Inclusion and Engagement of the Commonwealth Youth Council.

The event ended in group discussions and the way forward by Ziggy Adam, chairman of SNYC board.

Source: Seychelles NATION


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