Government Representatives, community members and Donors at the launch of Duk Padiet Community Radio in Jonglei State © UNESCO
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to officially hand over Duk Padiet community radio to the community during on the 9 June 2022 in Duk County, Jonglei State.
The initiative to establish Duk Community Radio came as the result of the conflict analysis conducted by UNDP in 2017 where they found out that lack of information sharing was a key driver to the intercommunal conflicts in Jonglei state hence, the need to establish a community radio in Duk Padiet was initiated in 2019 with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency and Swedish Government.
The occasion was attended by Korean International Cooperation Agency, Swedish Government representative in South Sudan, community leaders, youth, women and among other delegates from government.
The Executive Director of Duk Padiet County, Mr. Ajak Atem Riak said the radio should be used to promote peace and co-existence among the communities rather than violence and hatred.
UNESCO and its partner UNDP emphasized the importance of freedom of expression, free speech and access to information during these critical times as South Sudan is undergoing nation building and implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. Let’s use the radio to push forward the 2030 development Agenda and ensure no one is left behind said, Mr. Tap Raj Pant, UNESCO Head of Education Unit.
Ms. Oh Sangeuen, Deputy Country Director for KOICA Uganda said that Duk Padiet should be the symbol of peace in Jonglei and the country through positive promotion of peace messages via the radio that is handed over today to the community.
The Sweden Representative, Mr. Joachim Waern in his remarks said that the radio handed over to the community today is about peace in Jonglei and the country at large and never should the community slide back to conflict. The Swedish government will continue its support to South Sudan through its partners to achieve stability and meaningful development.
This project was made possible with support of KOICA and SWEDEN through UNDP and implemented by UNESCO with the main purpose of promoting peace and co-existence among numerous groups/tribes in Duk Padiet and neighboring communities, as well as promote Access to Information.