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Amidst rising tensions, Great Lakes Friendship Games highlight that peace is possible
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The 6th edition of the Friendship Games, an annual sports and cultural event aimed at promoting friendship among youth from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, are being held from 13 to 15 November 2015 in Bugarama, Rwanda.

After five editions, the Great Lakes Friendship Games have become an unmissable peace-promoting event in the region. Recognized and supported by regional political and sport authorities, this project spearheaded by Peace and Sport has enjoyed growing interest from local communities.

Yves Jamoneau, coordinator for Peace and Sport's field programmes in the Great Lakes, said “The Games are a unique opportunity to forge ties of friendship and brotherhood, encourage social cohesion and contribute to peace-making efforts in the region, which are more important than ever given the renewed and widespread unrest over the last few months.”

The Friendship Games welcome delegations from six youth centres supported by Peace and Sport and located in DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda across the Rusizi plain, a region often affected by tension among people and communities. More than 300 young people aged 9-16, who are members of these youth centres, come together to take part in the event each year.

Joël Bouzou, president and founder of Peace and Sport, said “The Games have well and truly made their mark as a major peace-building and peace-promotion event in the African Great Lakes region. … strong friendship ties and respect are built among the hundreds of participants. For these youngsters, the Friendship Games have become an unmissable yearly event teaching them that they are just like their neighbours, with the same hopes and difficulties.

The Games involve three action-packed days of activities including sport competitions and demonstrations, awareness-raising workshops on HIV (where HIV screening will be available), environmental protection and women’s rights, cultural activities and much more. These different activities enable the youngsters to talk, get to know each other, and encourages them to take up sporting disciplines.

Supported by the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture of the three countries, the 2015 edition of the Friendship Games is organized by the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Rwanda, in partnership with Peace and Sport.


  [This article has been edited by the Operating Team]

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