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He said those roles could be divided into security, political, economic and technological issues.
Director General Sowe spoke at the opening ceremony of the Federation of Gambia Muslim Youth 2024 (FEGAMY) on Tuesday at the Sir Dawda International Conference Centre on the theme “Combating Gambling and Drugs in the Senegambia Region”.
Solway went on to say that the theme of this year’s event was very appropriate, relating to so-called “internal national security issues or threats.”
Mr. Sowe said national security is a “prerequisite for sustainable economic and political development. Therefore, in order to achieve this condition, the State has a fundamental obligation to provide security, create an enabling environment and protect, respect and ensure the rights of citizens.”
Defining national security in the context of human security, he said: “National security is all-encompassing, where people and communities can live in freedom, peace and security, participate fully in the governance of their country, enjoy the protection of their fundamental rights, have access to resources and basic necessities of life, and live in an environment that is not detrimental to their health and well-being.”
He stressed that the security of the people and the security of the country complement each other.
“As young people, you can act as the eyes and ears of the nation by staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities or potential threats to the authorities. Your active participation in community watch schemes or online platforms can help identify security risks early.”
“In addition, you can educate your peers and community about national security issues, raising awareness and understanding of the importance of safety measures. As a young person, you can also advocate for policies and practices that strengthen national security while balancing individual freedoms.”
“Also, as a young person, you can contribute directly to the defence of your country by joining the military, police or other defence forces. Your energy, fitness and enthusiasm are valuable assets to these roles.”
On the issue of cybersecurity, he said: “As digital natives, young people are well suited to participate in cybersecurity work. You can help protect national infrastructure from cyberattacks, combat false information, and participate in ethical hacking to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.”
Political role
Speaking about the political role of young people, he said: “By engaging in community service, young people can help address social issues such as poverty, unemployment and inequality, which can be sources of unrest and insecurity. Promoting peace, tolerance and understanding within communities can help create a safer environment.”
“Young people can also participate in the political process by voting, running for office or supporting policies that strengthen national security. Therefore, your participation can ensure that the government reflects the needs and concerns of the younger generation.”
Countering extremist speech:
On the fight against extremism, he said young people can create and share narratives that counter extremist propaganda, adding: “Through blogs, videos, social media posts and other digital content, you can challenge the ideology of terrorist groups and deliver positive, inclusive messages.”
“So in today’s digital age, young people can engage in online activities to counter extremist narratives, report extremist content, and spread awareness of the realities of terrorism. This can help prevent the spread of extremist ideas online.”
Promoting peace and tolerance
“Young people can also participate in or organize interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities to promote mutual understanding and respect among different communities. Such efforts can help ease tensions that could lead to violence and terrorism,” he stressed.
“By promoting peace education in schools and communities, young people can help instill values of non-violence, conflict resolution and respect for diversity, reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies,” Sowe concluded.
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