MONROVIA — More than 50 young Liberians from across the country gathered at Sinkor Palace this week, bringing energy, ideas, and urgency to a national dialogue aimed at shaping Liberia’s development agenda.
Convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on April 22, the one-day Youth Dialogue created a platform for young people—ranging from artists and athletes to entrepreneurs, farmers, and climate activists—to engage directly with policymakers and development partners.
What emerged was a clear and consistent message: Liberia’s youth are not passive beneficiaries of development—they are active partners in driving change.
Youth at the Center of Development
Opening the dialogue, UNDP Resident Representative Mamadou Aliou Dia emphasized the importance of placing young people at the heart of national development efforts.
“Young people are full of ideas,” Dia said. “But too often, they do not have the opportunity to bring those ideas to institutions like UNDP.”
He acknowledged past shortcomings in youth-focused programs, noting that development initiatives must deliver tangible results to maintain credibility.
“If young people do not feel the benefits of our work, then we must ask ourselves whether we are truly making an impact,” he added.
Dia outlined a shift toward youth-centered programming, including funding mechanisms that directly support youth-led innovation—an approach he said is already strengthening confidence among development partners.
From Dialogue to Action
UNDP Governance Pillar Lead Stanley N. Karama stressed the need for institutions to move beyond consultation toward meaningful engagement.
He noted that youth perspectives are already shaping UNDP’s programming in areas such as digital transformation, governance, and economic development, while highlighting untapped opportunities in sectors like the creative economy and tourism.
Participants engaged in candid discussions around key challenges, including unemployment, limited access to financing, weak support systems, and policy gaps that continue to hinder youth advancement.
Government Reaffirms Commitment
Representing the Ministry of Youth and Sports Liberia, Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Laraamand Shenkin Nyonton reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth inclusion.
He pointed to the establishment of a Youth Advisory Council under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai as a key step toward integrating youth voices into national decision-making.
“Speak up about unemployment. Speak up about skills gaps. Speak up about teenage pregnancy,” Nyonton urged. “Your voices matter.”
Voices from the Ground
For many participants, the dialogue was both empowering and deeply personal.
Stephine Coleman Mulbah, CEO of Coleman Special Inc., said the forum provided an opportunity to share ideas and better understand nationwide challenges. Ezekiel Nyanfor of Liberian Youth for Climate Action described the engagement as inspiring, while Dwah Faith Massaquoi said it strengthened her commitment to expanding agricultural initiatives.
Cllr. Medina A. Wesseh of the United Methodist University commended UNDP for creating a space where young people could engage meaningfully and confidently.
A Momentum Beyond the Meeting
As the dialogue concluded, participants expressed appreciation for what many described as a rare opportunity to speak openly and be heard.
But beyond the discussions, the event signaled something more profound: a generational shift in how development is approached in Liberia.
The message from Sinkor Palace was unmistakable—Liberia’s youth are not waiting for inclusion. They are actively shaping the country’s future.
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