19 May 2010 - UNAMID’s Communication and Public Information Division (CPID), in collaboration with the Center for Peace and Development Studies at the University of Nyala, South Darfur, organized a live debate on 17 March where 400 students discussed the role of the civil society in ending the Darfur conflict.

The debate, titled “Should the role of civil society in peace be increased or reduced?," was broadcast live via State radio to all three Darfur states along with coverage from Al-Shorouq TV and Afia Darfur Radio broadcasting from Washington, DC.

Before the start of the debate, South Darfur State Minister of Presidential Affairs El Sanosi Mohammed El Tahir expressed his appreciation for UNAMID’s continuing efforts in the pursuit of an end to the conflict and reiterated his government’s readiness to support the views of the civil society with regard to the peace process.

Two teams of university students argued the benefits and drawbacks of increasing the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the peace process.

The issues brought up in these debates, as well as their findings, will be studied to help develop lasting solutions to the conflict.

This is the second debate organized by UNAMID and the Center for Peace and Development Studies. The first was held in El Fasher, North Darfur, where a 200-member audience voted “yes” by an 80 per cent majority when asked whether education failed in the search for peace in Darfur.

The Centre for Peace and Development Studies was established to help provide realistic solutions for these purposes.