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Peace = development. Youths: make peace happen
MDC Youth Assembly
September 24, 2012

The MDC Youth Assembly joins the rest of the world in commemorating the United Nations International Peace Day on the 21st of September 2012, which was marked under the theme: Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Development.

Peace is an obligatory central ingredient to development. Youths in Africa must take a centre-stage in driving the agenda of making peace and development sustainable.

The existence of a peaceful environment where young people and all Zimbabweans enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms are observed must be created. An MDC government through various progressive means will bring an end to political violence and work for a culture of tolerance of diverse political views.

We must be able to challenge as young citizens the mainstream narrative of the universality of human rights and identify alternative frameworks to facilitate the conceptualization of and help find solutions to human rights challenges.

Youths have been abused by the leaders in committing gruesome activities undermining peace thereby derailing the development of this country. Political violence has been rampant to the extent of it being a culture to other political parties. The creation and sustainability of terror groups such as the deadly Chipangano, Top Six and militia bases across the country by ZANU PF is a testimony of being a great enemy of peace and development.

The culture of impunity in Zimbabwe is an undisputable symptom of anti-development .

Peace is fundamental. It is a key component to poverty eradication. As young people we must fight for the eradication of poverty and violence and successfully draw attention to a tragically recurring phenomenon and foster an in-depth understanding of its intricate mechanisms.

Young Leaders must address key issues around creation of jobs, youth upliftment, entrepreneurship, democratic citizenship, the protection of fundamental people's rights and freedoms, including the violent repression of democracy and political, economic and social rights.

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