The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) with support from Mercy Corps, has conducted the first quarterly youth sector coordination meeting itinerary aimed at seeking approach on youth development.
The meeting, which was held Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Monrovia, brought together officials of the Ministry Youth and Sports, Mercy Corps and members of the House’s Committee on Youth and Sports.
Giving the overview of the meeting, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, J. Bryant McGill said the initiative of the quarterly youth sector coordination meeting stems from recognizing that effective youth development requires a coordinated and inclusive approach.
According to him, the youth demographic represents a dynamic and diverse segment of society, facing a range of challenges that necessitate comprehensive solutions.
“Recognizing the limitations of isolated efforts, the Ministry of Youth and Sports took the lead in establishing this platform to bring together government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities and other partners, who continue to invest in youth development to brainstorm strategies tackling youth development,” Minister McGill stated.
He explained that the background of the initiative was rooted in the understanding that collaboration is essential for maximizing impact and efficiency.
McGill narrated that the objective of the meeting is to identify a coordination institution to anchor the youth development stakeholder collaboration process.
Deputy Minister McGill indicated that the gathering was also intended to promote evidence-based policy-making through data-driven discussion and sharing research findings related to youth development.
He said that the expected outcome of the first quarterly youth sector coordination meeting will show a clear structure for effective and sustainable coordination of youth development and collaboration of sector partners and stakeholders.
The Deputy Minister narrated that the outcome of the meeting will strengthen coordination and collaboration among youth development stakeholders, leading to more harmonized efforts to address the diverse needs of young people.
For his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports, J. Cole Bangalu said the censor that was conducted in 2022 states that Liberia is dominated by young people and everything that has to do with development should be centered around the youth.
Bangalu stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports will join other stakeholders to ensure that the coordinated approach issue of youth is resolved.
“Youth development is a process that prepares a young person to meet the challenges and achieve his or her potential,” he noted.
Minister Bangalu applauded Mercy Corps, United Nations and other partners for their support towards the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
