MONROVIA, Montserrado – A cross-section of young people across the country has advanced new recommendations to the government aimed at sustaining national peace and security.

The recommendations were contained in a resolution drafted at the end of a two-day youth dialogue organized by ActionAid Liberia in partnership with other organizations including Paramount Young Women Initiative and Youth Bridge. It was organized in observance of International Peace Day and brought together at least 75 young people.

Presenting the recommendations on Friday, September 21, one of the participants of the youth dialogue, Thomasina Du, called on the government, in addition to the National Youth Policy, to develop and implement policies that would limit the use of harmful drugs and abuse of alcohol.

Du recommended that the government also prioritizes the implementation on the UN Resolution 350 which established the UN disengagement observer force and provides capacity building training to youth in priority growth areas.

She said through this, the government would build a vibrant private sector to complement its efforts in consolidating peace and making Liberia a self-sustainable nation.

Du added that to have young people fully engaged in peacebuilding activities, the government must create opportunities for them to participate in decision-making processes at all levels. She also recommended to the government the establishment of a program to rehabilitate and reintegrate vulnerable drug users and provide them with skills training other at-risk youths.

At the same time, the young people’s representative called on her peers to get actively involved with volunteerism, noting that such would enhance their capacities with skills that would help them become employable in the labor market and inculcate into them the value of patriotism.

The National Youth Policy coordinator at the Ministry of State and Presidential Affairs, Janeta Mawolo, received the recommendation on behalf of the government.

Mawolo accepted the resolution and promised to work with the young people to ensure that the recommendations are achieved, noting that they are key to youth development, capacity building, transformation, and rehabilitation.

“The office of the National Youth Policy is going to prioritize these agenda under the Ministry of State and Presidential Affairs,” she said.

She applauded the young people and ActionAid and collaborating partners for their role in promoting national peace and security.

For her part, ActionAid Liberia’s country director, Lakshmi Moore, also praised the participating youth organizations for their support and commitment to maintain a peaceful country. Moore said supporting the endeavors of young people is the surest way to keep peace and security.

“Peace is not just the aspect of [no] war; peace is making sure rape does not occur in your community because the person who is raped does not have peace after rape. Peace is no beating on your girlfriend, no beating your boyfriend,” she said.

She added that a major indicator of peace is when there is justice for all persons.

This year’s International Day of Peace was celebrated under the theme “Empowering Young People Through Peace Building.”