South Sudan National Peace Leadership Education

Last year on December 18, South Sudan National Peace Leadership Education was held online in the UNDP video conference room with more than 20 members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation in attendance.

Under the theme, “Leaders Who Love Their People, Leaders Who Build Peace,” participants shared that it is important not only to establish a national system through legislation, but also to cultivate a peaceful mindset among leaders who implement laws. The parliamentarians held an in-depth discussion for about 100 minutes based on the realities of the situations in their respective countries.

“We came up with an autonomy institution that could be an institute or whatever…establishment of a parliamentary semi-autonomy body to strengthen the role of the parliament in peace advocacy, conflict resolution, peace building, dialogue, reconciliation, healing, and in advancing research on issues pertaining to global peace and internal sustainable peace,” said Hon. Bona Deng Lawrence, chairperson of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan (TNLA) Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation.

“I’ve realized that learning is a lifelong journey, and today’s education provided a vital new perspective on forgiveness and reconciliation,” said Hon. Bona Deng Lawrence, chairperson of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan (TNLA) Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation. “As lawmakers, we carry a heavy responsibility for our people. I am committed to pushing for a dedicated peace education institution within our Assembly to ensure these values are translated into real policy.”

“Members of parliament should personally visit their constituencies to spread awareness of peace and bridge the divide among residents by explaining the causes of conflicts and their solutions,” said Hon. Wiliam Onany, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan (TNLA) Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation.

While laws and institutions form the framework that sustains a nation, it is ultimately the responsibility of leaders to put them into practice. Based on this understanding, South Sudanese lawmakers have prioritized National Peace Leadership Education. Through this program, HWPL will continue to support parliamentarians in South Sudan in their effort to achieve social integration based on the values of peace.