MONROVIA – The Young Political Leadership School of Africa (YPLS), a flagship program of Naymote partners for democratic development has begun its Ninth edition in Monrovia.
More than one Hundred young leaders in politics and civil society from across Africa on Monday converged in Monrovia to attend this year’s ninth cohort of the YPLS Africa, with the theme: “Galvanizing Young Leaders With Integrity and Character to Defend Democracy and Inclusive Governance in Africa.”
Ms. Alphia Faith Kemokia, YPLS Project Manager, giving the overview of the program on Monday, said over the next five days, the young political leadership school Africa participants will learn, share, collaborate, network, and dialogue on improving their skills in political leadership, electoral administration, and democratic governance.
She said the YPLS was established in 2016 to contribute to a formation of a new generation of character driven, political and socially active leaders that will be accountable, responsive and accessible to the needs and interest of citizens and help shift their future in a positive direction.
She said the institution believes young people have the numbers that should be mobilized with the best amongst them to win elected offices; bringing youth exuberance, new political thinking, and most significantly good governance tenets.
“The Young Political Leadership School Africa is a one-week Professional Development Training to enhance participants’ skills in planning, organizing, and implementing political campaign events, electoral management, strengthening their leadership, communication, and networking skills, etc.
After the one-week training, she noted that participants will undertake three-month civic engagement events in their respective countries and host policy debates and town hall meetings to enhance political accountability, integrity and improve electoral outcomes.
Mr. Jim Wight, USAID – Liberia Mission’s Director, serving as keynote speaker at the official opening of the event, lauded the YPLS for organizing an event that teaches, motivates and support young people to participate in democratic process.
He used the occasion to call on the participants to emulate good leadership attribute to guard, mentor and support those around them as servants in other to lead them and be good leaders.
The YPLS is Naymote, Partners for Democratic Development’s flagship program. NAYMOTE created in 2001, is a good governance and research institution working to advance democracy, rule of law, and democratic governance in Liberia and the region.
The institution believes that a purposeful and effective civil society is needed to set the national policy agenda, stimulate sound and healthy grassroots responses to governance issues, and influence the uneven power dynamics that characterize the relationship between Liberia’s citizens and government.