In a move to actively contribute to the sustenance of peace and security efforts as a key factor in Liberia, The Federation of Liberian Youth has ended a one-day Annual Youth Peace and Security Forum in Monrovia. With support from the Irish Embassy near Monrovia and the UNFPA, the intensive brainstorming forum was held under the theme: Addressing the Challenges Faced by Liberian Youth in The Realms of Peace and Security.
Speaking at the opening session, the Vice President for National Affairs of FLY, Jeremiah Wilson, said young people who are mostly affected by instability are also the most essential builders in sustaining 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 “, he said.
Mr. Wilson welcomed the government’s step to establish a Presidential Youth Committee but wants this to be followed by sustained efforts to involve youth in all areas of governance, particularly in peace and security efforts.
He said young people should work together to help address such challenges currently confronting their progress. “Let’s commit to creating a Liberia where every young person is empowered to play a role in the Peace and Security efforts of our nation”, The FLY’s Deputy Vice President said.
He said the Ministry of Youth and Sports must get the young people fully involved in the formulation of their budget; by that they will be able to contribute meaningfully by defending its related components. Peace in the context of the youth and student community is, “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,” he said.
Wilson thanked the Irish Embassy near Monrovia and UNFPA for their support to this initiative and encouraged others to do the same in order to see massive interventions of the young people in peace and security efforts across the country.
The Deputy Head of Mission of Ireland and Development-LEAD in Liberia, Emer Hughes, commended the young people of Liberia for their involvement towards peace and security efforts in the country.
Using her country, Ireland, as an example, she told the gathering that the young people of Ireland stood tall and said enough is enough to their recent conflict; “they were essential to the peace process of Ireland; they made sure that the peace was sustainable,”
After several decades, Hughes said, Ireland now has its own national action plan on peace and security and has been encouraging others as well as facilitating peace and security initiatives across the globe. According to her, the support of Ireland to the young people including Liberia at large is not a gift but an investment.
“We do this because we think that it is going to have a return for everyone,” she said. At the same time, the Irish diplomat wants a peace and security component to be included in the National Youth Action Plan of Liberia that is currently being developed.
She said 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 society especially in peace and security initiatives.
