disaster
Growing Up with a Nation: Children Demand a Say in South Sudan’s Future on 15 years of Independence
By Save the Children at ReliefWeb
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
. Every Saturday, children in Juba interview senior leaders live on air in a national radio show, asking questions about education, conflict and the future of their country. Save the Children launched the programme on Eye Radio – the first independent radio broadcaster in South Sudan – to create a p
Key takeaway South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011 in one of the most celebrated moments in modern African history.
Why this matters
The initiative by Save the Children to launch a national radio show where children interview senior leaders highlights the critical need for youth involvement in shaping South Sudan's future. As the country faces one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with over half of the population uncertain about their next meal and renewed fighting displacing thousands, the perspectives of young people like Naomi are crucial. By providing a platform for children to directly engage with those in power, the programme demonstrates the potential for intergenerational dialogue and collaboration. The fact that child parliamentarians have already interviewed high-ranking officials and are scheduled to speak with key international partners suggests a growing recognition of the importance of youth voices in decision-making processes. As South Sudan's young population will soon become the country's leaders, their participation in shaping the nation's future is essential for building a more stable and equitable society.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Every Saturday, children in Juba interview senior leaders live on air in a national radio show, asking questions about education, conflict and the future of their country. Save the Children launched the programme on Eye Radio – the first independent radio broadcaster in South Sudan – to create a p
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .