The President of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), has urged his colleagues to form a united front, “because, there is strength in unity.”
Miss Banica Elliott, also told his colleagues to recognize that in unity, lies their strengths, not only in their numbers.
Miss Elliott spoke at the opening of one-day Pan African Youth Town Hall gathering in Monrovia.
She stressed the for unity among the young people, which she said, is in the offspring of a nation built on resilience.
According to Miss Elliott, the young people over the period faced challenges, yet remain steadfast hoping for a positive better tomorrow.
She told her peers that she does not only acknowledged the potential and contributions of the young people, but also understands the weight of the challenges, while proudly embracing the fire of their potential.
Miss Elliott: “I speak for the student in Harper aspiring to be a doctor, the entrepreneur in Ganta launching a new business; the activist in Buchanan advocating for climate justice, and the young mother in Paynesville nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.”
She said the young people are not the problem, but the promise for a better Liberia and the African continent at large.
“While we are not passively waiting for the better future, we should be actively shaping the future now,” she told the gathering.
Miss Elliott then informed participants that the town hall initiative goes beyond mere gathering, rather serves as a rallying cry; a call for the young people to rise above division; invest in collaboration that prepares them for the global stage.
As a means to further empower the youth, Miss Elliott reechoed the need for jobs creation that align with the energy and ideas of the young people.
Meanwhile, Miss Elliott encouraged her colleagues to see peace and justice as key instruments to development, and lead with integrity, compassion and vision.
“Let us dream boldly and build grandly since we are important; your ideas are valuable; your moment is now; let us rise, build to lead-for Liberia and Africa in general,” she noted.
On the theme: “Empowering Youth for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality in Liberia,” Deputy Minister for Youth development, Bryant Mcgill urged young Africans to take advantage of its youngest demographic.
Mcgill said, empowerment is not a slogan, rather it is about action in education on access to finance on skills in political inclusion in digital transformation. Most importantly in dismantling gender-based barriers that continue to sideline young women and girls.
The day-long interactive session highlighted key issues affecting the young people with focus on flagging the issues and finding solutions to address them.