The United Nations and the Government of Liberia Reaffirm Commitment to Support At-Risk Youth in Liberia

The event, which was geared towards rehabilitating, empowering and reintegration of At-Risk Youth into their communities as healthy, productive, and engaged citizens, saw commitments from several key stakeholders, including the Government of Liberia, who pledged US$1 million to start the programme.

Since then, efforts have been underway by the Government and the UN Agencies to move ahead with this critical initiative. On August 4th, a week before International Day of the Youth on August 12th, a high-level preparatory meeting was held to agree on the next steps of this initiative. 

The meeting was chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable D. Zeogar Wilson, was also attended by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Honorable Samuel D. Tweh, Jr., Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Williametta Saydee-Tarr, and Assistant Minister of Justice, Attorney Edrick F. Noah. The  UNFPA Representative, Bidisha Pillai, UNICEF Representative Laila Gad, UNDP Representative, Stephen Rodrigues, and WHO Representative, Dr. Clement Peter were also in attendance.

They participants agreed that a High-level National Steering Committee would be established with representatives from the Government, UN, Development Partners, CSOs, and youth themselves. This Steering Committee will provide leadership and oversight for the programme. They further agreed on forming a Technical Working Group that will provide technical oversight for the development and implementation of the Programme and a Secretariat to support the overall coordination of the programme.

“The increasing number of young people on drugs and the number of youths living in the streets means that a whole generation might not reach their full potential,” said Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson during the opening address.

Minister Wilson said it was critical for the Government and the UN to agree on the programmme development and implementation framework to ensure synergy and avoid duplication of efforts.

The United Nations UN Liberia Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott,  speaking at the opening of the meeting, said the UN welcomed the bilateral engagement with the Government of Liberia to improve the condition of young people, especially the At-Risk population. Mr. Scott called for a Multi-Partners Trust Fund to allow for a transparent collaboration and coordination framework in the programme’s implementation.

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., reiterated the commitment of the President and the Government to prioritize this area over the next ten years.