Sesame Omphile Mogotsi ,
Please provide us with your views on the state of peace in the country you will represent at the One Young World Summit
Botswana has been labelled a ‘shining example’ of good governance and democracy for numerous years. It remains one of the most peaceful nations in world, ranking second after Mauritius in Africa. The question is whether this is something we should be proud of as a country? Being ranked the best among the worst is not something to be very proud of. There is a need for effective state administration with responsible institutions, transparency and rule of law in an effort to maintain the peace and stability that we have been fortunate to uphold since independence. While some countries have experienced confrontation between opposing ideologies or disintegrated into civil wars, Botswana has spearheaded unity for Africa. Botswana has consolidated a harmonious state-society based on the principle of Botho (courtesy), peace has been embedded in this principle. Botho describes the latent consciousness that one’s own sense of humanity is deeply rooted in the humanity of others in the community, it is the social and cultural cohesion that ensures that no Motswana shall rest easy knowing that another is in need or in trouble. However, peace is an ever-evolving process that requires nurturing, stable and prosperous societies as it can rapidly unravel over time.
How do you think your work and/or activism contribute to countering violent extremism and a sustainable peace?
As a young peace advocate engaged with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), a network of young people working to upscale and optimize local and pan-Commonwealth efforts to promote peace, respect and understanding and prevent/counter violent extremism using positive peer engagement/youth development approaches, I believe that I play a small but significant part in this regard. Youth has been viewed for a long time as victims and perpetrators of violent conflict and tends to be excluded from peacebuilding efforts. Through the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), my country’s team and I have designed and implemented projects and initiatives that seek to teach young people to reject the messengers of hate and violence and embrace diversity, prevent radicalization of the vulnerable youth population, highlight the role of young people and women in peacebuilding efforts and assist in the successful reintegration of de-radicalized youth. With the dais provided by the groundbreaking United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, we seek to provide more young people with an opportunity to actively participate in peacebuilding efforts (one of the 5 pillars of the resolution itself).