We need each other in the community regardless of which religion has the biggest population.

UNAOC through the Youth Solidarity Fund gave us a unique opportunity to build the capacity of youth drawn from 7 religious sects across both Islam and Christianity to challenge and delegitimise religiously motivated violent extremist recruitment in the eastern part of Uganda. One particular project activity that resonated most with the young people was collaborating with youth of other faiths to establish 2 Youth Interfaith Peace Gardens. It is said, that to plant a garden is to believe in the promise of tomorrow. Being the first of its kind in the region, we believe the peace gardens will serve as a living monument to the ideals of interfaith cooperation, co-existence, and friendship among faiths, and ultimately undermine violent extremist propaganda that seeks to divide people. This has been the most exciting project I have ever worked on. Thank you UNAOC for believing in young people, and supporting them.

I will stand to challenge religious stereotypes, biases and prejudices that I have grown with, adopted from school and at home. Push myself to do better and know people outside my circle.

I will continue to sensitise people, creating connections that are different from my own community, teach my children and whatever places of leadership I am put in so that people learn how to connect on levels of humanity and not based on their differences.’

Interfaith dialogues are needed in the community to educate and empower the youth about the advantages of working together irrespective of religious differences.

UNAOC through the Youth Solidarity Fund gave us a unique opportunity to build the capacity of youth drawn from 7 religious sects across both Islam and Christianity to challenge and delegitimise religiously motivated violent extremist recruitment in the eastern part of Uganda. One particular project activity that resonated most with the young people was collaborating with youth of other faiths to establish 2 Youth Interfaith Peace Gardens. It is said, that to plant a garden is to believe in the promise of tomorrow. Being the first of its kind in the region, we believe the peace gardens will serve as a living monument to the ideals of interfaith cooperation, co-existence, and friendship among faiths, and ultimately undermine violent extremist propaganda that seeks to divide people. This has been the most exciting project I have ever worked on. Thank you UNAOC for believing in young people, and supporting them.

There is need to appreciate diversity through knowledge exchange of ourselves and neighbours. We need to embrace each other as humans regardless of our religious background. I,  as a Rasta, it’s my responsibility to teach my neighbour and my neighbour’s neighbour that all we need in this life is peaceful co-existence regardless of our backgrounds in faith.