MORE than 200 youth leaders in Mindanao were trained on peace building under a program funded by the European Union.

Youth leaders aged 18 to 25 were selected to attend the program on preventing violent extremism and project management.

The training was held in Zamboanga City  under the Extremely Together Philippines-Panaghiusa program funded by EU and led by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Philippines-based non-profit organization KRIS.

Ymari Pascua of ET Philippines said that the youth leaders were trained to promote peace.

“Taking inspiration from the former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan who believed in the power of young people and who started the Extremely Together movement, we trained these youth from Zamboanga, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan so they can work together and take the lead in promoting peace,” she said.

She added that Filipinos have been victimized by violent extremism and conflict for decades, and young people have been actively recruited to join radical groups.

“This is why it’s high time we actively recruit them into peace and into development, instead of war and violence,” Pascua said.