Kakata, Margibi County – The Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L), in collaboration with UNICEF-Liberia, on day two of the Grade School Ambassadorial and Internship Summit at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County, engaged young Liberians on their role in promoting peace, integrity, and justice in the country.
The initiative, designed to educate and empower students in grades 3 to 12 and out of school children to become transitional justice ambassadors in their communities, through civic education, creative activism, child participation and campus/community-based engagement commenced on October,25,2025 at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, bringing together Students from across Montserrado.
The two-day summit, which brought together grade school students, interns, local authorities, and development partners, aimed to empower young people as ambassadors for transitional justice and as future custodians of Liberia’s democratic values.
Addressing participants at the occasion, OWECC-L Executive Director, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, emphasized the critical role of youth in building a just and accountable society. He reminded participants that they are the future leaders and therefore play an integral part in the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
Dr. Barbu cautioned students against the consumption of harmful substances and urged them to resolve conflicts peacefully rather than resorting to violence.
“Violence cannot solve problems; only peaceful approaches can bring lasting change,” he stressed.
He further underscored the danger of corruption in every aspect of society, describing it as a “menace eating the fabric of our nation.” Dr. Barbu highlighted domestic corruption and misconduct in classrooms as root causes that eventually grow into national corruption.
“Spying during tests and cheating are forms of corruption,” he noted. “When you learn to cheat as a student, you will learn to cheat as a public official.”
Speaking also at the event, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Dr. Amadou Alassane Cissé, lauded the participants for their enthusiasm and bravery in engaging discussions on Liberia’s past and its path toward justice and reconciliation.
“As children and young people of Liberia, your voices matter deeply,” Dr. Cissé said. “You were born after the end of the war, but you live with its effects every day. Understanding this history is essential to building a peaceful and fair future.”
He emphasized that transitional justice is not only about confronting past atrocities but also about shaping a society rooted in fairness, accountability, and respect.
“When we hold perpetrators accountable and listen to the stories of victims, we build a Liberia that is stronger, safer, and more united,” he added.
Dr. Cissé reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s transitional justice process, particularly through the protection of children’s rights and the strengthening of the justice system to ensure that no child is unfairly treated or detained.
The occasion was graced by the Margibi County Superintendent, representatives from the Ministries of Justice and Education, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), development partners, school administrators, and students from various institutions, including deaf students.
The summit forms part of OWECC-L’s ongoing public engagement efforts to raise awareness about Liberia’s transitional justice process and to inspire a new generation of leaders committed to peace, justice, and integrity. The Summit is expected to climax this weekend in Harbel, Margibi County.
