Resource centres make room for democracy

MS Sudan supports resource centres because access to information is crucial in strengthening local democracy in Southern Sudan.

By Janne Bruvoll, information officer, MS Sudan

17. July 2009

“Here will the library be and the offices will be over there,” Mawa Malish Isaac says. He is the manager of Morobo United Youth Association (MUYA) in Southern Sudan.

Mawa Malish Isaac is standing on a big heap of earth and he is pointing at two smaller piles next to him. Before the end of the year, the piles will turn into the first resource centre in Morobo.

“During the war, only few young people were able to attend school so we want to give them access to information so that they can re-school themselves. However, it should not only be for the youth. It should be for the whole community of Morobo and we hope that people will feel ownership of the centre and feel responsible for it so that it will be used and maintained,” Mawa Malish says.

Almost a year has gone since MUYA started working on the resource centre so Mawa Malish Isaac and his colleagues are happy that the construction has finally started. What has taken so long has been to mobilise the community to contribute to the building. They have managed to get the community to provide most of the sand, stones and the bricks.

“It has been a challenge but when we have had the chance to explain to them what the resource centre is for, most people have been willing to give something,” Mawa Malish Isaac says.

Access to information is crucial

When it is finish, the resource centre will include a library and it will have computers with internet access. In addition, MUYA would like to set up a television so that the community can watch news and documentaries.

The idea for the resource centre in Morobo comes from resource centres in other parts of Southern Sudan which MS Sudan is also supporting. The resource centres are an important part of the MS Sudan strategy.

“In Southern Sudan, it is very difficult for people to access important information. There are no libraries and only few people are able to buy books or access the internet. Also, the resource centres provide the communities with a place where they can meet and discuss their problems, learn about their rights and duties as citizens and get knowledge about the coming elections. This is crucial in our work to strengthen local democracy in Southern Sudan,” Lars Anderskouv, director of MS Sudan, says.

Besides from building the resource centre, MUYA organises debates and dialogue meetings for the community in Morobo and sport events for the youth. In addition, MUYA is an umbrella organisation for smaller youth groups in Morobo County.

MS Sudan is working in partnership with nine resource centres in Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria States.