Tanaka reflects on Global Peace Summit experience Tanaka being given a cerificate of being an ambassador at the summit by a Global Summit delegate

Rejoice Makoni

Youth Interactive Correspondent

Tanaka Saungweme, a youth advocate and auditor by profession from Zimbabwe, represented the country at Global Peace Summit in Kenya as he had the opportunity to interact with global leaders.

The youth representative shared his reflections from the event and about how summits can act as springboards for youth involvement in policy-making.

The Global Peace Summit seeks to engage young people in conflict resolution, amplify their voice for social justice, and create a harmonious environment among communities and societies.

The summit also fosters mutual understanding and harness capacity building of youth, helps young people to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encourages peace in communities to reduce extreme violence and all kinds of discrimination.

Like they say, some people wait for big things to happen for them to acknowledge that they have been blessed.

It seemed normal to those who attended the summit, as it was a blessing to Tanaka, in more ways than one.

The shy lad said that speaking alongside and talking with other young people was by all means mind-blowing.

“I heard many young people mention the issues that they face in their countries and although their countries may be different, I could relate to almost all the issues they raised,” he said.

“With that in mind, we sought to come up with solutions that could make a positive impact on young people’s lives.”

Tanaka said his participation at the Global Peace Summit has equipped him with necessary tools to promote and encourage peace in Zimbabwe

“We participated in peace education and leadership capacity building sessions where we were equipped on how to build community-based projects that emancipate the youth.”

Tanaka, who is also a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness task force at EY was awarded the Global Peace Ambassador award and selected to be the Tourism Ambassador for Kenya.

He said his vision was to promote peace in Zimbabwe and create lifelong opportunities for youths.

“I am looking forward to leveraging the networks I forged at the summit, coupled with the lessons I learned and applying them to my community,” he said.

 Tanaka said his strong involvement in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness taskforce at EY has helped him to build resilience, and cultivate a culture of tolerance and inclusivity and encouraged people to apply for the global peace summit because it offers life changing solutions.

He cited that his ambition was to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Goals.

“I have targeted goal number four and 16 for my participation in the SDGs and my vision is to promote peace in Zimbabwe and create lifelong opportunities for the youth.

Goal number 4, ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all and I started working on this goal by volunteering and mentoring students.

“I have been a mentor at the Institute of Accounting Sciences for more than 2 years, where assist students who are currently pursuing their Post Graduate studies in accounting and I also mentor undergraduate students for the Vimbiso Trust Mentorship program, an initiative facilitated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ).

“Goal 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and my goal is to collaborate with other non-profit organizations and faith-based institutions to launch social peace campaigns to promote peace and harmony as we go for elections.

“My objective is to see my actions creating a ripple effect in the community and breed peace builders who will strive to attain global peace” explained Tanaka.

However, Tanaka was born in Zimbabwe and attained his Advanced level certificate at Kutama College.

It was in college that the pursuit of the Chartered Accountant qualification was ignited.

After finishing his Advanced level, he went to Rhodes University in South Africa where he attained his Bachelor of Commerce.

He then went for his Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting at the Accounting Sciences in South Africa.

He completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting Science in 2021 at the Institute of Accounting Sciences in South Africa.

Tanaka is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness task force at EY pursuing a Masters in Sustainability with Hult International Business School.

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