KIGALI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Officials on Friday called on the Rwandan youth to contribute to preserving peace in the country.

The youth should be part of solutions and engage in fighting injustices, reporting any violence, all geared towards building lasting peace, said UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator Fode Ndiaye at a youth conference of marking the International Peace Day in Kigali, capital city of Rwanda.

Rwandan Minister of Youth Rosemary Mbabazi urged youth to think critically on what they are told and what they read especially on social media platforms in order to maintain lasting peace.

The youth need critical thinking skills in order to be able to assess what they are talking about in efforts for the promotion of peace, she said.

Fidele Ndayisaba, executive secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission of Rwanda, encouraged Rwandans especially youth to join hands for the promotion of peace, adding that peace-building is not a one man activity.

As part of the celebrations of the International Peace Day, the conference was co-organized by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and non-governmental organization Never Again Rwanda with emphasis on "critical thinking for peace."

It aimed to reflect on how and when critical thinking can contribute to tolerance, healing and social cohesion among community members in the context of the post-1994 genocide Rwanda.

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21 every year. The UN General Assembly declares this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.