KAKATA—The Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) of Liberia marked the 2024 International Youth Day on Monday by providing digital training to over 75 youth in Margibi County.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
After the training session, participants received certificates recognizing their achievements.
The International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12th, was established in 1999 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution following the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers of Youth.
Since its inception, International Youth Day has focused on a range of themes pertinent to young people, from food security and mental health to intergenerational solidarity and the development of green skills, all underscoring the vital role of youth in sustainable development.
For the 2014 celebration, which centered around the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” YMCA-Liberia partnered with young people under the YMCA Civil Peace Service (CPS) project.
The training highlighted the positive use of social media for self-improvement, techniques for photo and video recording using smartphones, and strategies to combat hate speech on social media, including fact-checking information.
Speaking at the event, Morris Kamara, Sr., the coordinator of the YMCA Civil Peace Service program, noted that the event was sponsored by the German government through the Bread for the World and the Civil Society Cooperation Fund for Peacebuilding.
Mr. Kamara explained that the YMCA is implementing the first goal of the CPS Mano River Union Cross Countries Strategy, which aims to provide young people with a platform to express their interests nonviolently.
“YMCA CPS complements the actualization of the YMCA Subject to Citizen Youth Development Program, which seeks to create opportunities for young people to develop their voices and influence change,” Kamara stated.
He emphasized that the program is designed to meet young people where they are, build their capacity to promote positive peace, advocate for gender equality, and promote good governance, ultimately equipping them to take actions that foster social cohesion.
During the digital training, facilitators underscored the critical connection between digitalization and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the central role of young people in this transformative process.
The trainers also addressed key global challenges facing youth and encouraged active participation in societal, political, and economic processes.
The training further aimed to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of young people toward Africa’s future, advocate for policies and initiatives addressing their needs and aspirations, and provide a platform for dialogue between youth, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
However, Mr. Kamara expressed confidence that the participating youth would now have the space and voice to engage actively in dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders, ensuring that their issues receive positive attention and redress.
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