IPCR Trains Youth Corps Members, Interns On Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has trained Youth Corps members, interns, SIWES participants and volunteers on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and responsible citizenship as part of efforts to equip young Nigerians to promote national unity and sustainable development.

The training, organised under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Young Peacebuilders, was themed: “Training Young Builders – Empowering NYSC, Interns, SIWES & Volunteers with Essential Skills to Build a Peaceful and United Society.”

Speaking at the event in Abuja, director-general of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said the initiative was designed to strengthen the capacity of young Nigerians to become agents of peace, dialogue, tolerance and national unity.

Ochogwu highlighted that peacebuilding should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of the government, stressing that every segment of society, particularly young people, has a role to play in preventing and resolving conflicts.

He said young Nigerians should be regarded not merely as beneficiaries of peacebuilding programmes but as partners, leaders and drivers of peacebuilding efforts.

According to him, Nigeria’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths, but differences in ethnicity, religion, culture, political beliefs and social identities could become sources of tension when poorly managed.

He urged participants to acquire the skills needed to identify early warning signs of conflict, understand the root causes of disputes, listen to competing perspectives, encourage dialogue and seek professional assistance when necessary.

He also challenged the young peacebuilders to use social media responsibly, warning that misinformation, hate speech and careless online communication could aggravate existing tensions.

He urged them to verify information before sharing it and use their digital influence to promote tolerance, understanding, cooperation and national unity.

Ochogwu further linked peacebuilding to national development, noting that sustainable development, investment, education, healthcare and prosperity could not thrive in an environment of persistent violence and insecurity.

Also speaking, Ms. Grace Kpohazounde, Peace and Development Adviser, United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, urged young people to pay attention to their attitudes toward situations that could trigger conflict.

Kpohazounde said young peacebuilders must speak up against injustice and exclusion and insist on having a voice in decisions that affect them.

She shared her personal experience of beginning her career as an unpaid intern with the United Nations, noting that the opportunity later opened doors to consultancy and other assignments in several countries.

She advised young people interested in peacebuilding not to approach the field primarily for financial rewards, but to see it as a long-term commitment requiring sacrifice and dedication.

Kpohazounde also called on youths to remain vigilant ahead of Nigeria’s elections, warning that political campaigns could create heightened tensions and expose young people to manipulation.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, represented by Ambassador Muyiwa Aiyedun, stressed the importance of peacebuilding to national development.

He said meaningful development could hardly be achieved without peace, urging the participants to contribute to efforts to prevent violence, strengthen communities, promote national unity and support economic growth.

Also speaking, Dr. David Rinnert, Senior Conflict Adviser at the British High Commission, urged participants to embrace effective leadership principles in their peacebuilding efforts.

Rinnert identified three key principles—understanding before acting, creating and communicating a clear vision, and delivering consistently—as essential to effective leadership in complex peace and conflict situations.

He said leaders must take time to understand the evidence, listen to different perspectives and question assumptions before proposing solutions.

According to him, a clear vision or strategy must be grounded in evidence and effectively communicated to partners, teams and other stakeholders.

He added that the final test of leadership was the ability to translate ideas and promises into tangible results while working with others.

Rinnert illustrated his point with his experience working on peacebuilding initiatives in Central Asia, where he said he initially spent considerable time understanding the complex conflicts and stakeholders before developing a strategy to bring numerous peacebuilding initiatives together.

He urged the young participants to develop integrity, patience, collaboration and a commitment to delivery as they prepare to take up leadership roles.