BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MALKERNS – Following the success of the first session of the UN Bring Your Fire Live Dialogues, MTN Bushfire and the UN in Eswatini once again invite the nation’s youth to get involved in addressing the issues affecting their future at the next two Live Dialogues sessions today and tomorrow.
Participating youth will also stand a chance to win tickets to this year’s MTN Bushfire festival by engaging with the MTN Bushfire stall which will be available on the day.
All four live dialogues will be held at House on Fire. The topic for the sessions taking place today are, ‘Understanding the Scope and Impact of Gender-Based Violence in Eswatini’ from 11:30am to 12:30pm, and ‘Empowering Youth for Sustainable Development: Navigating Employment Challenges and Food Security in Eswatini’, from 2:30pm-3:30pm.
The first topic addresses SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and will be hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) & USAID. The moderator will be Zanele Thabede-Vilakati (UNDP), and panelists include Nomzamo Dlamini (Deputy Prime Minister’s Office), Futhi Gamedze-Lushaba (Principal Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sexual Offences Unit), Nonhlanhla Dlamini (SWAGAA), Sonic Dlamini (Kwakha Indvodza) and Kwanda Manikela (University of Eswatini).
The second topic is about Youth Employability and Food Security, reflecting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and is hosted by UNFPA, World Food Programme (WFP), and USAID. Moderator, Sakhile Shabangu (UNDP) will be joined by panelists Mluleki Dlamini (Director MSME, Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade), Howard Mbuyisa (Director, Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund – EADF), Sakhile Nsibandze (Youth Chamber of Commerce) and Bongani Langa, Economic Strengthening & Private Partnerships Manager at Young Heroes (under an USAID-supported project).
The UN Bring Your Fire Live Dialogues tomorrow will be on HIV/AIDS Key Population Inclusion & Human Trafficking from 11:30am to 12:30pm as well as Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions from 3pm to 4pm. Eswatini’s youth are invited to participate in these sessions at the House on Fire.
This initiative is a dynamic and inclusive response to igniting collective action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further advancing the impact of MTN Bushfire’s call to action for positive social and environmental change, Bring Your Fire. These SDGs are global and national development aims that are meant to be achieved by 2030.
Bring Your Fire advocates around social issues that are most relevant to youth. It encourages and empowers them to become change makers within their communities through capacity building, youth mentorship and a range of existing outcomes-driven projects.
It is worth mentioning that the first Live Dialogues session was held at House On Fire on 16 May and focused on the ‘Role of Education in Fostering Climate Action: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards’. This fell under the Education & Climate Action theme, addressing SDGs 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). For those who might have missed it, the live stream is available to view on MTN Bushfire Facebook, the UN in Eswatini Facebook and ESTV’s YouTube channel.
| THEME | TOPICS | VENUE | DATES |
| Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Agencies: UNFPA, USAID SDG 5: Gender Equality | Understanding the Scope and Impact of Gender-Based Violence in Eswatini | House on Fire | TUESDAY 21 MAY 11:30:am-12:30pm |
| Youth Employability & Food Security Agencies: UNDP, WFP, USAID SDG8: Decent work and Economic Growth SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Empowering Youth for Sustainable Development: Navigating Employment Challenges and Food Security in Eswatini | House on Fire | TUESDAY 21 MAY 2:30pm-3:30pm |
| HIV/AIDS, Key Population Inclusion & Human Trafficking Agencies: UNAIDS, UNDP, IOM SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Tackling Dual Challenges: Enhancing HIV/AIDS & Key Population Inclusion Amidst the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Eswatini | House on Fire | WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 11:30am-12:30pm |
| Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions Agencies: OHCHR,UNDP SDG 16: Peace, Justice, &Strong Institutions | Building Resilient Societies: The Role of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in Sustainable Development | House on Fire | WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 3:00pm – 4:00pm |
