LYCA Wants Young People In Decision-Making

The Executive Director of Liberian Youth for Climate Actions (LYCA) says young people must not just be invited to climate talks—they must be part of the decision-making.

“When the climate changes, young people feel it most because floods destroy schools, heat affects our health couple with bad roads as well as damaged farms, thus making food scarce and expensive. If we don’t listen to young people now, we are failing our future,” said Ezekiel Nyanfor.

Nyanfor spoke at a three-day dialogue to put youth, children, women and people with disabilities at the center of the country’s Climate Plans, held from April 17 to 19, 2025.

The dialogue, organized by the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) in partnership with UNDP, UNWomen, Medica Liberia and ActionAid Liberia, aims to ensure that young people, women, people with disabilities and children are not excluded from the country’s climate change plans.

Nyanfor said that youth groups across the country are making an impact in protecting the environment.

“We are not just asking to be heard; we are ready to lead. Give us the space, the tools, and the chance to act,” he said.

Lydia Porkpah, also from the LCYA, said including marginalized groups in the NDC is not just for formality, but sustainability. “Young people are future leaders and change makers.; therefore, their perspectives and creative ideas are meaningful to the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) decision-making processes.

The dialogue is part of efforts to develop the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement.

Under the NDCs, each country is required to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change. Liberia’s new plan aims to be more inclusive than ever before.