Universities and colleges are vital institutions in developing human capacity and resources to serve the communities. They are the first to be called upon in supporting efforts for democratic change and preparing people to be tolerant and knowledgeable about conflicts. In the Great Lakes region in Africa the local universities' potential to play a stimulating role in assisting people to participate in this process remains largely untapped. The role of students is crucial in this endeavor.
Students are well aware of the political, social and economical situation in their own country.
They are respected and often active at the local and grassroots level. Moreover, students are generally role models for ethnic and cultural tolerance. They are trendsetters as well as future leaders, and are therefore uniquely positioned to be armed with the skills and knowledge to prevent and mitigate violence. To this end, universities in the Great Lakes region are seeking methods to empower young people with the right skills to espouse the values of conflict resolution and to increase awareness in their communities. Such an effort will enable people to solve their own conflicts, so that any kind of social development or economic investment is more likely to be sustainable.