Inspiring young minds
Download MP3The first episode provides a general understanding of the current status of youth in South Sudan and the challenges they face, as well as their contribution towards nation building in the post-conflict era. It features a candid conversation with Grace Aguil Garang, who is engaged in national and international efforts to influence youth policies in South Sudan and Africa at large.
This podcast is hosted by Rosemary Wilfred, Tearfund South Sudan’s Advocacy, Media and Communication Manager.
Challenges facing young people
Grace Aguil Garang takes us through some of the challenges that youth in South Sudan face, such as unemployment, economic vulnerability, illiteracy, disunity among the youth, negative cultural norms leading to early marriage and more.
Building strong young leaders for today
Grace strongly objects to the idea that young people are the leaders of ‘tomorrow.’ She suggests that a youth enterprise fund needs to be put in place to ensure that the youth agenda is included in current political decision making and nation building.
‘We have to change the whole idea of the youth being the leaders of tomorrow. I feel the youth are the leaders of today and tomorrow, mainly because if we are going to achieve tomorrow, we have to be there today. How can we keep saying that you are going to take up the seats tomorrow? How would we know how to work tomorrow? How do you build the present for tomorrow?’
About the Step Up podcast
The Step Up podcast is produced by Tearfund South Sudan for young men and women, and hopes to inspire talented young minds to use creative methods to transform their lives. The podcast will also discuss the options available for young people as they navigate daily challenges and life choices.
Season 1 of this podcast will focus on the young people in South Sudan and feature inspiring conversations and reflections on:
- youth empowerment and transformation
- climate change and environmental care
- peacebuilding and social cohesion
- mental health
- transformative gender norms
- social innovations
- technology
