Omar Osman: Education and the Media Are Partners in Building People and Creating Peace
Kassala – Hadiya Sabah Al-Khair
Omar Osman, Minister of Education of Kassala State, stressed that building a modern Sudan requires the integration of the roles of education, culture, media, and guidance, as well as efforts to build an aware citizen capable of overcoming divisions and contributing to peace and stability.
At the beginning of his speech, Osman welcomed the participants and attendees of the workshop, extending his greetings to the National Commission for Culture and Science, representatives of UNESCO, and the participating academic, cultural, and media figures. He expressed his appreciation for the participation of prominent academic and cultural figures in the event.
Osman praised the role that such workshops can play in opening discussions about the responsibilities of media, culture, and education toward society. He stressed that the current stage requires moving beyond discussion toward practical steps that contribute to peacebuilding and strengthen community security.
He said that media in all its forms — print, radio, and television — is an integral part of society and has a significant influence on shaping public awareness and opinion. He noted that irresponsible media discourse can contribute to fueling conflicts and deepening social divisions, alongside psychological, social, and cultural factors.
Osman stressed that the media must assume its responsibility toward society and should not become a platform for glorifying tribal, sectarian, or regional identities at the expense of a shared national identity.
He emphasized that Sudan needs media that promotes national unity, public awareness, and the reduction of social divisions, stressing that Sudan’s diversity should be transformed into a source of strength and integration rather than a gateway to conflict and fragmentation.
He noted that the circumstances created by the war require media professionals to reconsider their discourse and tools, and to work toward producing content that helps calm society and address the consequences of polarization rather than reproducing hate speech and division.
Citing the Prophet Muhammad’s guidance, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent,” Osman emphasized that words carry responsibility and that their consequences can extend throughout society. He therefore called for responsible and carefully considered media discourse.
He said the media can serve as a tool for construction and reform, but it can also have harmful consequences when professionalism and awareness of society’s diversity are absent. He called for responsible media capable of addressing sensitive issues with wisdom and professionalism.
Osman added that nation-building cannot be the responsibility of the media alone, but requires the integration of the roles of education, culture, media, and guidance, as interconnected fields that collectively contribute to building people and shaping their awareness.
He explained that education is not limited to transferring information and knowledge, but also involves building character and developing people’s ability to think, respect others, and accept differences and diversity.
He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts across all stages of education, beginning with pre-school education, followed by primary, intermediate, and secondary education, and extending to higher education, alongside the role of media, cultural, and community institutions.
Osman said that human development begins with education and that developing society requires individuals equipped with knowledge, awareness, and critical-thinking abilities. He noted that suppressing independent thought and weakening critical thinking directly affects the future of society and the state.
He pointed out that Sudan’s experience since independence has been marked by accumulated challenges and crises, requiring a review of previous experiences and the search for new approaches to national action rather than continuing to reproduce the causes of division and conflict.
Osman stressed that development, education, and institution-building cannot be achieved amid social discourse based on hatred and division. He emphasized that both the media and education have a role to play in creating an environment conducive to development and stability.
He called on politicians, media professionals, intellectuals, educators, educational institutions, and civil society to work together to build Sudan, stressing that every sector has a role and responsibility at this stage.
The Minister of Education of Kassala State concluded by emphasizing that building a modern Sudan begins with building its people, and building people begins with knowledge, education, awareness, culture, and responsible media, calling for unified efforts and public discourse centered on peace, social cohesion, and national unity.
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