In Darfur, a focus on youth
A group of boys in an internally displaced persons camp in Darfur.
June 11, 2007
The marginalization of youth and their lack of access to quality education, basic life skills building and paying jobs is a significant contributing factor in the instability in Darfur.
What can young people do?
What do youth do when there’s no school, no work, and seemingly no end to life in the “Internally Displaced Persons” camps, or IDPs. This makes them vulnerable to being drawn into the conflict as members of one of the rebel factions or becoming involved in some other type of high risk behavior.
Plan’s Darfur program provides youth with opportunities for quality education (formal and non-formal), life-skills building and employment.
At the same time, the program works to stimulate and motivate youth to play an active, positive role in development and peace-building in Darfur.
Darfur is a dynamic, fast changing environment
Plan’s approach has evolved since we started our first project in Darfur, in 2005.
We are still working to ensure that the essential needs of children are met—especially basic life skills training, clean water and sanitation, and education.
In addition, the new phase includes more child protection interventions, including addressing gender-based violence, early childhood development activities, and the introduction of radio and other media activities for children.
Giving youth a lead role
Youth have a lead role in all activities of our Darfur program, from design to implementation and evaluation.
Rather than simply waiting for the conflict to end, Plan is helping youth to acquire skills and knowledge that will prepare them for rebuilding their lives after the conflict ends, when they go back to their villages or decide to pursue a new life elsewhere.
When the peace process advances, Plan will work with youth to take a lead role in their own recovery and the development of themselves, their communities and their society.
As a unique organization that will stay in Darfur as long as necessary, we can design our humanitarian programs to serve as building-blocks for peace and a safe, positive future for Darfur’s children.
Find out more about Plan’s work in Sudan.
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What can young people do?
What do youth do when there’s no school, no work, and seemingly no end to life in the “Internally Displaced Persons” camps, or IDPs. This makes them vulnerable to being drawn into the conflict as members of one of the rebel factions or becoming involved in some other type of high risk behavior.
Plan’s Darfur program provides youth with opportunities for quality education (formal and non-formal), life-skills building and employment.
At the same time, the program works to stimulate and motivate youth to play an active, positive role in development and peace-building in Darfur.
Darfur is a dynamic, fast changing environment
Plan’s approach has evolved since we started our first project in Darfur, in 2005.
We are still working to ensure that the essential needs of children are met—especially basic life skills training, clean water and sanitation, and education.
In addition, the new phase includes more child protection interventions, including addressing gender-based violence, early childhood development activities, and the introduction of radio and other media activities for children.
Giving youth a lead role
Youth have a lead role in all activities of our Darfur program, from design to implementation and evaluation.
Rather than simply waiting for the conflict to end, Plan is helping youth to acquire skills and knowledge that will prepare them for rebuilding their lives after the conflict ends, when they go back to their villages or decide to pursue a new life elsewhere.
When the peace process advances, Plan will work with youth to take a lead role in their own recovery and the development of themselves, their communities and their society.
As a unique organization that will stay in Darfur as long as necessary, we can design our humanitarian programs to serve as building-blocks for peace and a safe, positive future for Darfur’s children.
Find out more about Plan’s work in Sudan.
Back to top
