The Launch of Liberian coalition on YPS
Youth groups from diverse backgrounds have united to form the National Coalition on Youth Peace and Security (YPS) in Liberia which has been officially launched as the Liberia Coalition on Youth Peace and Security (LCYPS), dedicated to advancing the YPS Agenda. The Coalition will monitor and oversee the implementation at country level – from the consultation process, formulation, and drafting to the validation/adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) YPS in Liberia. This significant coalition was born after a YPS Inception two-day workshop in Monrovia, where young leaders came together to strategize and take action toward a peaceful and secure future for Liberia. This happened as a result of youth activism, advocacy, and stakeholder engagements to have the YPS Agenda institutionalized and implemented in Liberia.
Before this historic milestone other Youth-led civil society organizations like Peace Agents Network (PAN) have worked to promote young men and women’s effective participation in peacebuilding negotiations and decision-making at all levels, and Messengers of Peace (MOP) Liberia, working to enhance Youth commitment to peace processes through community engagement. PAN and MOP are member organizations of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, and they played a key role in advocating and co-shaping the establishment of the LCYPS.
The two-day inception workshop held in Monrovia from June 6-7 brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, UN RC/SRSG, representatives from other UN entities, WANEP, civil society organizations, youth groups, marginalized groups, and young leaders from various regions of the country. The primary aim was to discuss the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which emphasizes the critical role of youth in peacebuilding and security processes. Attendees engaged in fruitful dialogues about the current challenges faced by young people in Liberia and explored strategies to enhance their participation in peace and security initiatives. Young people played a pivotal role in the advocacy process leading up to the launch of a Coalition on YPS in Liberia. In 2018, the UNSCR 2250 was launched in Liberia, and after 6 years, we take a step forward in achieving the goal of the Youth Peace and Security Agenda by hosting a two-day Inception Workshop on YPS which concluded with an official launch of the LCYPS and formulating a NAP on YPS in the next 18 months through regional consultations, dialogues, and validation sessions. The launch of a YPS Coalition in Liberia and the adoption of a NAP on YPS will accelerate local peacebuilding efforts, institutionalize the implementation of the YPS Agenda, and promote meaningful youth engagement in policy and practice at all levels. Young people hope that this initiative will strengthen their participation in peace processes and decision-making.
Young people are innovative, and creative, and have the energy to be at YPS efforts. They are able to move the agenda and make effective changes. Young people have the energy and creativity to influence change and sustain peace. Prior to the adoption of the UNSCR 2250, young people were leading effective peacebuilding initiatives in their various communities. They should be supported to be able to promote the YPS Agenda. Without youth inclusion, you cannot have a YPS agenda that speaks to the needs of Liberia in a peacebuilding context.
The project which is supported by the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) through the UNFPA Regional office in West Africa, led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Liberia, and co-shaped by the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), WANEP Liberia, Peace Agents Network and other youth-led organizations and student movements stems from the desire to enhance national capacities to advance the implementation of the YPS agenda in Liberia through an inclusive and collaborative process of formulating NAP on YPS in Liberia.
The project titled “Enhancing National Youth, Peace, and Security Capacities in Liberia” aims to strengthen the capacities of various stakeholders in fostering multi-stakeholder and whole-of-government approaches towards ensuring policy coherence on youth, peace, and security. This will be achieved through the development of YPS national action plans and providing safe spaces for the youth to voice their concerns, identify overarching goals, and prioritize strategies for advancing YPS in Liberia. The project will also increase awareness of the YPS agenda and establish a multi-stakeholder platform to coordinate national efforts. To achieve this, a national framework on YPS will be established. This framework will serve as a guiding document for governments, civil society organizations, and stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive youth inclusion in all aspects of peacebuilding – from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction. Additionally, it will provide safe spaces for young people to express their concerns and prioritize strategies for advancing youth-centred peace and security initiatives.
My expectations about Liberia’s NAP on YPS is that it will take into consideration recommendations and opinions of young people from all regions in Liberia, and details key action points strengthening the meaningful participation of young people in peacebuilding, governance, protection of human rights, and the implementation of global and national sustainable development agenda.
About the author
Abdullah O. Bility is a young Peacebuilder, and a Youth Peace and Security Expert from Liberia with six years of experience in peacebuilding, advocacy, volunteering, and Youth development. He has spearheaded numerous local peacebuilding initiatives aimed at empowering young people and supporting communities in Liberia. His work extends beyond peacebuilding to address critical issues such as ending child marriage, combating sexual and gender-based violence, and fostering youth development. He works to strengthen the effective participation of youth in peacebuilding negotiations, supports young women and men to accelerate local peacebuilding efforts, institutionalizes the implementation of the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, and promotes meaningful youth engagement in policy and practice at all levels. His organization Peace Agents Network (PAN) is a member organization of the United Network of Young (UNOY) Peacebuilders that aims to promote peace, reconciliation, and community development. PAN engages young people in various peacebuilding activities, conflict resolution initiatives, and community service projects to build understanding, trust, and solidarity among different groups in society. Abdullah was part of the establishment and official launch of Liberia Youth Peace and Security (YPS) Coalition with support from UNFPA, and he serves as a Co-chair of the YPS Coalition where he monitors and co-lead the implementation at country level – from the consultation process, formulation, drafting to the validation/adoption of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (NAPYPS) in Liberia.
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