Building a Generation of Informed Digital Citizens for Liberia’s Democratic Future

Nineteen young leaders from across Liberia gathered in Monrovia on 31 July 2026 for the first in a series of workshops aimed at strengthening digital citizenship, media and information literacy, and information integrity among young people. The initiative seeks to equip youth with the skills needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving digital information landscape and contribute to peaceful, credible, inclusive, and democratic processes. 

The participants, including student journalists, political party youth wing leaders, civil society representatives, and media practitioners, took part in a one-day training titled*“Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for Democracy: Strengthening Youth Participation through Information Literacy.”* The workshop was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), in partnership with the National Elections Commission (NEC), Local Voices Liberia, and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL). 

The training reflects the United Nations’ broader commitment to supporting informed civic participation, strengthening democratic resilience, and promoting information integrity as a foundation for sustainable peace and development. At a time when misinformation and disinformation continue to shape public discourse globally, empowering young people with critical thinking and digital literacy skills is increasingly important for safeguarding democratic governance. 

Representing the NEC, Titus W. Tokpah, Director of Communications, emphasized the importance of continuous learning in responding to emerging information challenges and encouraged participants to engage critically with electoral information and political narratives. He underscored that elections are won through democratic processes and informed participation, not through online misinformation. 

Speaking on behalf of UNDP’s Liberia Electoral Support Project, Mambu James Kpargoi, Communications Specialist, highlighted the central role of young people in shaping democratic conversations in digital spaces.

“Young people are at the center of this digital transformation. As content creators, community leaders, student journalists and active citizens, you have tremendous influence in shaping public discourse. With that influence comes the responsibility to verify information, engage responsibly online and promote constructive dialogue that strengthens democracy rather than divides it.” 

He noted that the workshop builds on the global MIL4Elections initiative and reflects confidence in Liberian youth leadership.

“We are particularly proud that this training is being led by Ms. Aria Deemie, whose proposal was selected globally following her participation in the UNDP-UNESCO training in Spain, demonstrating the potential of Liberian youth to lead innovative democratic initiatives.” 

The workshop also brought together key national stakeholders committed to promoting information integrity. Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, Executive Director of Local Voices Liberia, stressed that access to credible information is fundamental to democratic governance.

“When the information ecosystem is distorted, it can fuel conflict, polarization and violence. Young people must therefore develop the skills to verify information, understand the motives behind online content, and become responsible consumers and producers of information.” 

Similarly, Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ethical journalism and combating misinformation.

“Information integrity is critical to protecting democracy, and the Press Union remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen these capacities, particularly among young people.” 

The initiative forms part of the follow-up phase of the global MIL4Elections: Media and Information Literacy for Youth in Elections programme. In 2025, Liberian youth leader Aria Deemie was competitively selected alongside 20 young leaders from around the world to participate in the 24th University on Youth and Development in Mollina, Spain. Her proposal to adapt and deliver the training in Liberia was among a select number approved for implementation, demonstrating growing national leadership in advancing youth participation and information integrity. The initiative is supported by Global Affairs Canada through the Project for Resilience and Integrity in the Management of Elections (PRIME) and builds on a programme jointly developed by UNDP and UNESCO. 

Throughout the workshop, participants examined how traditional and digital media influence civic engagement, explored the risks posed by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, and discussed practical approaches to responsible digital citizenship. Through interactive exercises, discussions and case studies, participants strengthened their ability to evaluate information critically, identify credible sources and engage constructively in democratic discourse. 

This workshop is the first of three planned sessions that will engage additional youth leaders from political parties, universities and civil society organizations. By investing in young people as champions of information integrity, the initiative aims to foster a network of informed digital citizens capable of promoting peaceful democratic participation and building resilience against misinformation across Liberia. 

The Liberia Electoral Support Project supports national institutions and processes to advance inclusive, transparent and accountable governance in Liberia. Managed by UNDP, the project is implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, in collaboration with the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.