International Day of Peace, 2015: The Launch of the Amman Youth Declaration on Youth, Peace and Security in Liberia

Post by Gwendolyn Myers, Executive Director of Messengers of Peace Liberia

Messengers of Peace (MOP) Liberia is a non-governmental organization that provides a rich learning environment where youth can develop their social and family life skills through coaching, mentoring and voluntarism. Volunteering is most effective when it is combined with the passion of youth to ensure peaceful co-existence in their community. Hence, this year’s International Peace Day was celebrated by the Messengers of Peace-Liberia Inc. (MOP) between 15-21 September under the theme “Youth are partners for Peace”.

The celebration touched every sector of our society for seven breath-taking days, in which we engaged the nation through the media; emphasized the need of the Amman Youth Declaration; and interacted with religious communities, especially Islamic and Christian ones. This was followed by community outreach in two underprivileged and vulnerable communities of Slipway and PHP, in Central Monrovia, and finally the main event held on the campus of the University of Liberia’s Auditorium.

Furthermore, on the International Day of Peace, the Amman Youth Declaration was officially launched in Liberia by the Ministry of Youth & Sports. This was the first time that all Liberia rallied around any youth declaration unconditionally. Over 500 youth represented many national youth organizations, such as Liberian Students Union and Montserrado Students Union. The government was represented by Mr. Gyude Moore, Minister of Public Works, who is a young person himself; Mrs. H. Madia Peters-Magbollah, Youth Adviser to the President of Liberia representing the Minister of Youth and Sports; and the Deputy Minister for Youth Development at Ministry of Youth & Sports. Finally, civil society was fully represented by the Carter Center and Accountability Lab and the Press Union of Liberia.

The Amman Youth Declaration was presented by 6 amazing youth messengers of peace, marking the official launch of the document on the national level. This means that the document was introduced to the office of the President of the Republic of Liberia; the two Houses Liberian Legislature; the office of the Chief Justice; UN entities; Carter Center; Action Aid; and a number of local youth and civil society organizations.

This was followed by the traditional lighting of candles and the Peace Waves, the ringing of the Peace Bell, and a special video message from UNOY Peacebuilders delivered by Matilda Flemming. The climax of the event was a special and motivational overview of the Declaration by the chief messenger of Peace, Miss Gwendolyn Myers.

Peace is essential for growth and development and maintaining it requires involving youth from the start when designing and implementing national policies. Our future builds on peace and security, so let’s get involved. Peace education has the power to expand opportunities and transform lives. It is time to partner with others. May peace prevail in our generation!