Monrovia, Liberia – The Federation of Liberian Youth concluded a one-day Annual Youth Peace and Security Forum in Monrovia with the aim of actively supporting the continuation of peace and security activities as a crucial element in Liberia.
Under the subject “Addressing the Challenges Faced by Liberian Youth in the Realms of Peace and Security,” a one-day intensive brainstorming conference was organized with support from the UNFPA and the Irish Embassy near Monrovia.
During the inaugural session, Jeremiah Wilson, the Vice President for National Affairs at FLY, stated that the youth, who are primarily impacted by instability, are also the key contributors to maintaining peace.
“We need to focus on job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship to empower the young people in order to allow them to contribute meaningfully to society in peace building initiatives .”
Mr. Wilson, who applauded the government’s creation of a Presidential young Committee, hopes that this action would be followed by persistent attempts to include young people in all facets of government, especially activities related to peace and security. He urged the youth to collaborate in order to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of their advancement at the moment.
“Let’s commit to creating a Liberia where every young person is empowering to play a role in Peace and Security efforts of our nation.”
In doing so, he said, the youth would be able to effectively contribute to the budget and defend its associated elements. He called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to include the youth completely in the budget-making process.
He sent a warning to the appropriate government authority, saying that “when you meet our budget at a certain level you leave it at that especially so when you can’t increase it, do not reduce it, that is peace in our domain.”
Wilson also expressed gratitude to UNFPA and the Irish Embassy near Monrovia for supporting their program, and he urged others to follow suit in order to see significant youth involvement in national peace and security initiatives.
The Deputy Head of Ireland’s Mission and Development-LEAD in Liberia, Emer Hughes, also spoke at the event and praised the country’s youth for their participation in peace and security initiatives.
She reminded the audience, using her native Ireland as an example, that the country’s youth had stepped up and declared, “Enough with this recent conflict. They were vital to Ireland’s peace process. They ensured that the peace was sustainable.”
After a few decades, Emer told the Liberian youth that Ireland had its own national action plan on security and peace, and that it had been supporting and enabling peace and security projects all over the world.
She contends that Ireland’s assistance to youth, including that of Liberia as a whole, is an investment rather than a gift. “We do this because, we think that it is going to have a return for everyone.”
At the same time, the Irish Diplomat wants peace and security component to be included in the National Youth action plan of Liberia that is current been developed. She disclosed that Liberia has serious challenges in financing, resourcing as well as making sure that peace and security effects can contribute meaningfully to the development of the Country.
While there are notable challenges, Emer underscored the big role that the young people have to play in the society especially peace and security initiatives.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
