Monrovia – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development will administer one-week training to 100 young people from Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Malawi and the Gambia as part of its flagship program the Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) on December 12, 2016.
The training will focus on campaign process, public speaking, citizen engagement, transformational leadership development, grassroots campaign organizing, and campaign communications, including digital media campaigning.
Naymote selected participants from a poll of over 350 applicants through a competitive application and screening process. The training will serve as the third semester of the Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) program, and will feature participants from a cross section of political parties, university student leaderships, youth-led organizations, young candidates, professionals and political fanatics that are passionate about improving democracy and electoral politics through effective youth leadership and participation.
In Liberia, there is a dire need to elevate positive-thinking, young citizens who are willing to lead and address the affairs of the nation in a responsible and accountable manner for the good of all its citizens. However, Young Liberians have a leadership skills gap.
There is also lack of access to adequate information on the functions of governance institutions in the country. Young Liberians are increasingly losing the interest to serve in leadership positions and to participate in the political affairs of the country.
The YPLS is here to help build the capacity of young people and begin the process of preparing them for transformational political leadership to build sustainable democratic institutions and nations.
At the opening session, on December 12, 2016 at 9:00 am, at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center in 9th, Street,t he Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, will deliver the keynote address on the topic: Young Political Leaders and the Transformation of Liberia, while the Ambassadors of the United States of America and the Sweden will make special remarks to inspire and motivate the participants.
Naymote’s Executive Director, Eddie Jarwolo said, “the YPLS aims to strengthen and contribute to Liberia’s democracy through the capacity building of young political leaders who can make political institutions more effective players in the political system of the country.
”He said, after the 5 days training, participants will use the skills to impact the development of manifestos of youth and women candidates, facilitate inter-party debates, conduct canvassing to inspire young people to register and vote, deepening youth roles to support peaceful democratic transition and to maintain momentum for democratic consolidation in the country.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia, (UNMIL), supports the third semester of the Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) and Jeff Fox, a retired Canadian Political Leader, Political Campaign and Communications Strategist will facilitate the training in tandem with local political leaders.
