By Kitab Unango
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) has launched a two -year sports for peace project in Greater Equatoria region of South Sudan.
Bush Buse, the Coordinator of WPDI said on Wednesday that they are aiming to use sports activities to promote social cohesion and peace among youth below the age of 20.
“The project will also build the capacity of youth in peace building, leadership and entrepreneurship skills as well as renovating recreational grounds for young people to engage in sports and shun hostility,” Buse told Juba Echo in an interview in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
At least 1224 young people who have been affected by conflict and violence in Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria States are expected to benefit from sports project which is funded the by Swedish government to a tune of 280,000 U.S dollars.
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WDPI) is a non-profit organization with a global scope and reach, founded by Forest Whitaker in 2012.
Artist and social activist, Mr Whitaker, who is widely recognized for his commitment to humanitarian efforts and creative excellence, Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Advocate for Children affected by war.