Youth Approach

Burundian youth enjoy a music for peace festival and competition in Bujumbura

Conflict management and violence reduction in Burundi cannot be realised without directly engaging Burundian youth. In the past, young people have fallen victim to the manipulation of political actors abusing the political process for their own interests or the interests of a small few. As a result, some youth have played an unknowing role in undermining Burundian government and civil society. Youth now need to collaborate with other citizens in dedicating their energy, talent, and unique perspective and experience to the important processes of reconciliation, reconstruction and development.

As a response to the tense political environment and growing insecurity in Burundi, SFCG has recently implemented a project aiming to encourage all Burundians, and particularly youth, to engage in peaceful cohabitation amongst their diversity and to fight all forms of manipulation, with support from UKAID. This project also aims to contribute to the depolitization of the democratic dialogue. The campaign was implemented through various tools, including media programming (radio soap opera, and spots messages) and cultural events (music contest and music festival). SFCG is actively seeking funding to continue this campaign.

Past Projects

Le Meilleur Choix
In 2001, SFCG collaborated with JAMAA, a local youth association, to produce a comic book called Le Meilleur Choix ("The Best Choice"). The book describes the real-life experiences of two young men who participated in the violence of the mid-1990's, and their efforts to reconcile with the families of their victims. The project oversaw the production of a feature-length movie based on the same story, and was awarded an honourable mention by UNESCO for excellence in peace literature.

Football for Reconciliation
In 1999, youth in Bujumbura and Ngozi participated in the first football (soccer) tournament in an ethnically divided district. The project then expanded to hold a football tournament/weekend camp once every four months, and an evening dialogue/roundtable focused on a video or event of interest once every month.

Peace Camp
In 2000, SFCG and Visage Artistique du Burundi conducted a youth day camp at the Musée Vivant. Each week, 60 children ages 7-14 were provided transportation from three neighbourhoods of different ethnic composition to the camp, where they were taught peace-oriented songs, drawing and theatre.

Children and Youth Radio
SFCG uses its radio station, Studio Ijambo not only to broadcast documentaries, soap operas, news and current affairs programmes, but also to reach out to the children and youth of Burundi. Among the broadcasts are music programmes for youth, a live phone-in discussion programme, and a programme presented by children.

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