Monrovia –A new milestone in youth political leadership development has been achieved through Naymote Partners for Democratic Development’s Political Party Youth Leadership and Capacity-Building Training Program, which convened 25 young members of political parties representing 13 political parties across Liberia.
The participants were selected from 45 applicants through a competitive, transparent, and inclusive selection process, reflecting Naymote’s commitment to strengthening youth participation and leadership in Liberia’s democratic processes.
The training aimed to strengthen young political leaders’ understanding of Liberia’s electoral legal framework, electoral cycle, the role of political parties in democracy and proposed electoral law reforms.
It equipped participants with the knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence needed to engage constructively in political processes, contribute to policy discussions, and promote accountable and inclusive democratic governance.
Held at Naymote’s office on July 10, the training was facilitated by Eddie D. Jarwolo, an accredited BRIDGE facilitator and governance expert, and Cllr. Sarnyenneh M. Dickson, a Liberian lawyer and governance and accountability practitioner.
The post-training assessment revealed important gaps in young political party members’ prior understanding of electoral laws, democratic processes and proposed electoral reforms. Participants also identified key barriers affecting meaningful youth participation in political parties, including limited access to leadership development opportunities, weak internal mechanisms for youth engagement and inadequate support for sustained political participation beyond elections.
These findings highlight the need for continuous investment in youth leadership development to strengthen political institutions and democratic governance in Liberia.
During the training, participants gained practical knowledge of Liberia’s electoral legal framework, including the Constitution, New Elections Law, Code of Conduct and National Elections Commission (NEC) regulations.
They explored how these laws and institutions guide the organization, administration, conduct, and credibility of elections, as well as mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution and strengthening public confidence in democratic processes.
Building on the success and lessons of the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa), Naymote is committed to establishing this initiative as a sustained platform for developing young political leaders across Liberia.
Through continuous training, mentorship, internships, think tank engagement and community service, the program will promote informed, ethical and citizen-centered leadership while encouraging evidence-based and issue-driven political dialogue, public policy engagement, accountability and democratic reforms.
Each cohort will engage 25 young political party members, with deliberate inclusion of young women, to promote inclusive leadership and stronger political institutions.
Naymote will continue working with young political party members and the Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia to strengthen youth structures, encourage inclusive and democratic party systems, expand leadership development opportunities, promote cross-party collaboration and utilize digital platforms for civic engagement.
Through these efforts, Naymote seeks to empower young Liberians to play a constructive role in shaping political decisions, advancing accountability and contributing to Liberia’s democratic future.
“Young people are Liberia’s largest and most influential demographic, with the power to shape elections, influence public policy, and strengthen democracy. Investing in their leadership and democratic knowledge is an investment in Liberia’s future. Naymote remains committed to equipping young political leaders with the skills and knowledge to lead with integrity and drive positive democratic change.”
Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development
“Youth representation is not a privilege; it is the foundation of a vibrant democracy. I will continue advocating for greater youth leadership and influence within political parties.” Trokon George, Chairman, Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia and National Youth Chair, African Liberation League.
“This training empowered me to better understand electoral systems and proposed electoral law reforms. It also strengthened my ability to advocate for gender inclusion, including the proposed 30% minimum representation for women.” Benefit J. Tweh, Vice Chair for Women’s Affairs, Citizens Movement for Change
“The lessons from this training will not stop here. I am committed to sharing them within my party to strengthen democratic leadership and build a more responsive political institution.” Larry Sharlty, Co-Chair for International Affairs, Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia.
