PAYNESVILLE (April 25, 2023), Thirty-three (33) emerging leaders have completed a 10-week Youth Elections Fellow Program held under the auspices of the Young Political Leadership School Africa in collaboration with the United States Embassy near Monrovia Public Diplomacy Section.
In honor of their successful completion, the fellows will be certificated on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the American Center, U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.
During the 10-week period, the participants learned, networked, and discussed electoral matters, as well as the importance of the youth vote in the 2023 elections. They also learned about elections administration and campaign management, and the importance of accountability, respect for Human Rights, and Religious, cultural, and political tolerance for effective leadership and good governance.
Several experts from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, and Naymote facilitated diverse sessions on elections-related topics to enhance the young people’s political knowledge and their civic responsibilities. They learned about the culture of political and religious tolerance, issue-based elections, the importance of the U.S. Black History Month, the historical and important role of key black politicians and activists including current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Representative Ilhan Omar of Somalia descent, Justice Clarence Thomas – and their contributions to enhancing the American democratic values and development. Fellows watched documentaries of US politics, campaign rallies, debates, and voting on issues in the US Congress.
Following their certification, the fellows will undertake a three-month practicum, identifying activities they can undertake to implement/transfer the knowledge and skills gained from the program to contribute to credible, transparent, and free/fair elections, etc.
“The young people have the number, they have the energy, they know the problems and they feel the problems, but they need the knowledge to contribute to the transformation of their society, and the Youth Elections Fellow Program was created as a platform to increase the political knowledge and civic responsibilities of young people to make their voices heard or count,” said Eddie D. Jarwolo, Naymote’s Executive Director.
At the event on Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Michael A. McCarthy will deliver a special statement, and along with the head of the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section Sean Boda, will present to the fellows, certificates of completion.
The partnership with the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia Public Diplomacy Section was meant to strengthen young people’s capacity to understand their roles and responsibilities in a democratic society – a sure hope to help them grow and adhere to democratic values, norms, and ideas for the common good of their country when they excel to leadership positions and to contribute towards peaceful, transparent and credible elections in 2023.
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