The Orange Digital Center (ODC) in Monrovia, UN Women Liberia, and Orange Foundation, in partnership with National Peace Hut Women of Liberia (NaPHWoL), recently conducted a Training of Trainers for five peace huts community-based facilitators and two days of capacity building for three Chairs from the NaPHWoL in digital and financial literacy, digitized Savings and Loan Association (SLA) model/methodology and Orange Mobile Money. The objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of the Facilitators by providing knowledge and skills to support the implementation of digital literacy classes for rural women in the two Women Ditial Centers (WDCs) in Bong and Nimba Counties. According to the Women's Economic Empowerment Program Manager, Ramon G. Garway, upon completion of the training, the Facilitators are expected to commence the Cycle Three digital literacy classes for 100 (50 per county) new peace hut women and young girls in Totota, Bong, and Tarr Town, Grand Bassa Counties. He mentioned that over the past two years, UN Women Liberia and Orange Foundation have been working to ensure that the two existing WDCs in Bong and Grand Bassa Counties continue to provide peace hut women with access to digital literacy classes and tools. The intervention will address the gender digital divide and promote digital literacy among peace hut women, which is crucial to ensuring equal participation, empowerment, and access to opportunities in the increasingly digital world. During the training, Aisha Kamara Kolubah, National Project Officer at UN Women, did a presentation on the Buy from Women  (BfW) Platform. According to Ms. Kolubah, the  BfW Platform is a cloud-based enterprise and e-commerce platform that links women farmers and entrepreneurs to market, information, and finance. It addresses the structural barriers faced by women smallholder farmers, equipped entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Lischen Dwuye Kamara, Orange Money Distribution Manager, led the presentation on a step-by-step guide on the operation of Orange Money. These sessions provided knowledge for the Facilitators who will serve as Orange Money Agents to provide extension and advisory on services for BfW and Orange Money activities in the targeted communities. Also, at the training,  Zaza Mulba, the Executive Director of the Orange Digital Center, provided detailed information on the available services at the ODC. The Center provides access to digital technology for young people with or without qualifications. It gives them access to the latest technological skills to strengthen their employability and prepare them for jobs. All of the programs are provided free of charge and open to everyone. They ranged from digital trainings for young people, 90% of which are practical guidance for project bearers, and start-up acceleration.

The training which happened on September 20th and 21st, focused on how journalists can act to rescue the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Liberia. Speaking at the training the Chair of the UNCG Mr. Amadou Alassane Cisse cautioned the journalists to maintain their independence and be a more reliable Voice while disseminating information to the public on the SDGs, thereby 'Leaving No One Behind". According to the Chair of the UN Communication Group, the partnership with the media is a result of trust and commitment to what they do. He also stressed the need for journalists to be more balanced in their reportorial duties. "Keep your voice, keep your commitment, and realize we are not trying to have UN journalists, we are not also asking you to be the United Nations voice but continued to support the efforts to leave no one behind", Mr. Cisse added. The UNCG also stressed the need for journalists in Liberia to get involved in reporting and engaging the public and decision makers on the 17 Goals. They highlighted the importance of informing all Liberians about the linkages between the Sustainable Development Goals and national development. The UNCG journalists are crucial in that they have direct engagement and interaction with the larger society. Reporter Carson Mehn, one of the beneficiaries, applauded the United Nations Communication Group for the training describing it as " very impactful". "The training reminded us of our ethics as journalists and broadened our understanding of the SDGs, Elections Reporting, Principles of Reporting on Children's Rights, Managing Social Media During Elections, among others" " he noted. The training brought together journalists between the ages of 18 to 35 from various media entities across Montserrado County.

This has affected a staggering number of citizens with approximately 21,500 people projected during the June to August 2023 in emergency food insecurity levels — and over 531,000 people facing acute food insecurity, associated with high food prices due to high international commodity prices and elevated transport costs.    According to   Liberia’s Rapid Food Security, Livelihoods, Nutrition and Markets Assessment August 2022,( WFP) Liberia faces significant food insecurity, with more than two million people living below the poverty line, accounting for around 47% of the total population of Liberia and a substantial proportion of the population (about 424,000 people) experiencing severe food gaps or insecurity. Over the last six months, FAO trained a total of 2,687 smallholder farmers and rural individuals in sustainable agricultural practices. Among them, 1,966 smallholders received support for the income-generation activities and benefited from agricultural inputs and equipment (including fingerings, improved rice and vegetable seeds, power tillers, and water pumps). The focus was on empowering women, youth and vulnerable rural populations, with women accounting for 71% of the beneficiaries. The Home-Grown School Feeding programme, implemented by the World Food Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, addresses food security and education needs, providing a holistic approach to alleviating poverty and hunger.  Over the past 6 months, WFP reached over 42,000 schoolchildren across 180 schools with onsite meals from locally produced food commodities such as rice, palm oil, garri, and cow peas. In addition, 3000 vulnerable families of school children also receive monthly cash assistance through a take-home ration. Additionally, under the WFP resilience programme, about 4000 vulnerable smallholder farmers have received cash assistance with a transfer value of $45 to support them in improving their food and nutritious status. These smallholder farmers are engaged in asset-creation activities such as the development/rehabilitation of low land for rice and vegetable production. They also receive marketable skill training to diversify their livelihood.

This event, a two-day national consultation and validation process, focused on accelerating and transforming the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in preparation for the upcoming global SDGs Summit. The government of Liberia, in collaboration with the United Nations in Liberia, spearheaded this consultation and validation exercise, which took place at the Monrovia City-Hall from September 6 & 8. The primary objective of this workshop was to assess Liberia's progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the SDGs, particularly focusing on poverty reduction, equality enhancement, strengthening institutions, and mechanisms for implementing, monitoring, and reporting on the SDGs. The event was held under the theme "Amplifying the Voices and Actions for SDGs and Committing to Inclusive and Sustainable Transformation for Shared Prosperity." During the first day of the consultation on September 6, 2023, government officials, civil society organizations, and experts from various sectors including the United Nations, collaborated to develop an SDGs Acceleration Roadmap. This roadmap outlines a series of commitments aimed at achieving specific goals over the next seven years, to be presented at the SDGs Summit. During the opening ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine Umutoni expressed her delight in the progress Liberia has made on the SDGs but more needs to be done.  “I am happy to note that Liberia has already conducted discussions at different levels and assessed the country’s status regarding progress on SDGs. The country has presented two Voluntary National Reviews, outlining its current progress and challenges in the achievement of the national SDGs, as part of accountability measures to assess progress made in implementing the SDGs.  Liberia has made modest progress, which has improved its position in the global 2023 SDG Index. However, there is Liberia like many countries has a lot to do, it ranks 157 out of 166 on the percentage of SDGs achieved”, she said. She also implored on government and partners to ensure inclusive development and leave no one behind, focusing on the youth, ensuring gender equality and women empowerment, adolescent well-being, and inclusion of with disabilities and special needs. Speaking on behalf of the government, Mr. Augustus J. Flomo, Deputy Minister for Economic Management, at the Ministry of Finance, (MFDP), admitted that indeed the government is facing challenges in implementing the SDGs but it remains committed to accelerate towards their attainment. “We all have a responsibility to ensure we attain the Sustainable Development Goals, as a country we need to work towards the acceleration of the SDGs- it is important for the growth and development of our country. We have a responsibility to uphold this commitment and begin to work towards achievement of our objectives. This forum provides a consultative forum for consultation so that we get back on track as we prepare for the SDG summit”, said Honorable Flomo. Discussions during the consultation, facilitated by technical experts from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and supported by the United Nations in Liberia, focused on key areas such as planning, data collection, resource mobilization, peace and development, investments, food security, institutional strengthening, and finances. On the final day of the symposium on September 8, 2023, participants were divided into groups. One session revolved around providing feedback on the draft roadmap document, where participants discussed crucial interventions and requirements. The second session focused recommendations for key focus areas of the SDGs Acceleration and Transformation plan. Emphasis was made on the need to ensure effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, as well as scaling up efforts to accelerate SDGs progress, including financial mobilization and partnerships. Meanwhile, group two centered its discussion on accelerating social protection systems, financial frameworks, and strategic partnerships to achieve the SDGs in Liberia. In conclusion, it was recommended that Liberia should prioritize digital transformation, invest in lifelong learning for essential services, and promote peace. Additionally, consideration should be made on accelerating access to energy for all, transitioning to renewable energy sources, ensuring food security, enhancing water and sanitation systems, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating vulnerabilities. During the closure, Mr. Louis Kuukpen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, commended Liberia for the intensive two-day validation process, expressing optimism that Liberia would present a compelling case during the UN summit in New York, attracting development opportunities for the country. Minister Augusta Flomo appreciated the participation of all stakeholders, especially development partners, and expressed Liberia's readiness to achieve more through the SDGs. “We are committed to support Liberia, we all have identified our weakness and strength with strategic recommendation on how Liberia can push towards achievement of the SDG” he elaborated.    The national consultation is a precursor to the SDGs Summit, to be held in New York, September 18-19, 2023. This year, 2023, marks the mid-point of the SDGs, with calls for a strong recommitment and acceleration to achieve the Goals.