Staff Reporter
National peace and security are vital for developmental programs in the country, this was said by the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry.
Speaking at the consultative and engagement meeting on Youth, Peace and Security last week, Minister Coventry said, “I feel greatly honored to have this opportunity to contribute to this consultative meeting here today focusing on some of the contributions of my Ministry, the Ministry of Youth, Sport Arts and Recreation, which can be considered for the National Strategy on Youth, Peace and Security.
“National peace and security are such an important attribute to the success of not only Government, but all developmental programs.”
The Minister further said that peace building has always been a priority for the Government of Zimbabwe, right from the famous mantra by the then Vice President of Zimbabwe, the late Nationalist John Landa Nkomo, who reiterated that, “Peace begins with me, Peace begins with you, Peace begins with all of us.”
Minister Coventry said that her Ministry has contributed to a greater extent, the promotion of the values of peace, respect and moral integrity through its Youth programming, Sports, Arts and Recreational pillars.
She said that the youths are very crucial in contributing to national peace and security.
“While youth are stereotyped and viewed by some as malcontents, they amazingly contribute to national peace and security.
“Section 20 (1) (b) of the Zimbabwean Constitution recognises fundamental human rights for youth to have access to opportunities for representation and participation in political, social, economic, and other spheres on life.”
The Minister encouraged other stakeholders, including civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, students unions, as well as community-based organizations to participate in the consultations on developing a National Youth Strategy on Peace and Security.
National Peace and Security programs are essential for youth growth as this promotes and develops appreciation of the other social co-existence and tolerance of differences that enable families to be communities and communities to be nations, with all facets of normalcy and functionality.
