YOUTH: VOICES OF HOPE IN SOCIETY
The front cover image shows youngsters commemorating Youth Day at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the same location where an uprising against the use of Afrikaans as a vehicular language of education took place in 1976.
Some might see June 16 only as a public holiday, nevertheless, gratitude goes to those who strived on behalf of the youth for an inclusive and better education. Many youths today still face great challenges and need strong support in order to receive an integral formation which prepares them for a bright future.
RADAR • SUDAN
Fighting in the cradle of the Comboni Missionaries
BY Worldwide Staff member
FIGHTING BETWEEN Sudan’s Army, led by Lt. Gen. Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary group of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy on Sudan’s ruling council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, broke out last April in Khartoum, the capital. The conflict has extended to the region of Darfur , which occupies one-third of Sudan’s territory, on the western part of the country and to El Obeid.
Other cities of Sudan are much less impacted; schools have not stopped and daily routines continue; but Khartoum has been highly affected. At least one million people left their homes—with 800 000 internally displaced and 200 000 crossing the border to Egypt, South Sudan, Chad and some to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
An issue of great concern is also the attack which many Christian churches have suffered, at the hands of criminals who have taken advantage of the lack of control by the Government. There is huge looting occurring, stealing, raping and other acts of criminality in various neighbourhoods of the capital and other cities.
Most of the religious and church personnel had to leave their residences in the capital due to a lack of security in their communities as these were targets of violence and looting. However, many locals have not been able to move from their homes since it is very difficult and risky at the moment, especially in Khartoum. Many people have died because of stray bullets and other criminal acts.
Sudan is a country very close to the heart of the Comboni Missionaries since St Daniel Comboni, their founder, was the first evangelizer and Bishop of Khartoum. May he intercede for peace among the Sudanese people!
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF THE MOST POPULATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD LOOK LIKE?
WITH NEARLY 1.4 billion inhabitants, India has become the most populous country in the world according to the United Nations—a title it just took from China, which had held the top position for 73 years.
THE MANIPUR TRAGEDY
WITH 54 people killed and 13,000 rescued from conflict, the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur moves on to greater security after several days of intense anxiety. More than 10 000 armed forces were called to impose order, and the authorities claim that the violence-hit areas are now under “firm control”. However, uncertainty still prevails in different parts of Manipur.
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT’S WHO YOU KNOW
Youth unemployment in SA is estimated at 45%. However, through networking, building social connections and using community resources, young people can increase their chances of being hired, say activists Pearl Pillay and Khaya Sithole
CHURCH’S PASTORAL RESPONSETO AN EMERGENT HOLOCAUST
YOUTH DRUG abuse is a visible and widespread phenomenon. Many young people are dying from drugs. As described by Pope Francis, drug addiction is a new form of slavery and drugs are “a wound in our society” (General Audience, St Peter Square, April 13, 2016). What then is the response from the Church?