PHOTO: Eddie Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote
Emerging leaders from Naymote Partners for Democratic Development is set to host the 11th cohort of the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS) are due to converge in the Liberian capital, Monrovia next week.
A press release from Naymote issued in Monrovia today, Monday, August 5 says the meeting will run from Africa from August 12-16, 2024.
YPLS is the flagship program will unite 100 emerging leaders from 11 African countries under the theme “Empower the Future: African Youth Leaders for Sustainable Development, Peace, and Security.”
This year’s cohort includes young politicians, activists, civic leaders, and civil society representatives. Throughout the week-long training, they will engage in 16 intensive learning sessions led by nine international and national experts. The curriculum will cover a wide range of topics crucial to effective leadership, including political campaign organizing, political communication, electoral management, good governance, ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, advocacy and networking, anti-corruption, leadership in political parties, political ideology, and the Africa Agenda 2063.
Upon completing the training, participants will join the YPLS Africa Alumni Association, which boasts a network of over 1,030 young leaders across the continent. These alumni are actively contributing to democratic governance in their countries, leading political parties, and spearheading initiatives that promote civic engagement, policy reforms, and accountability. Their work includes hosting town hall meetings, educating citizens about governmental processes, and conducting voter education—all aimed at strengthening democratic values and principles in Africa.
Eddie D. Jarwolo, the founder of YPLS Africa, emphasized the importance of empowering Africa’s youth to transform their role in politics and democratic processes. “The numerical strength of young people in Africa is an asset, but there needs to be a paradigm shift in how they engage in politics. YPLS Africa was created to equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to maximize their political participation and decision-making, and to cultivate a new value system that will position them as the next generation of leaders,” Jarwolo stated.
The program will be inaugurated by His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, who will deliver the keynote address. Additional motivational statements will be provided by Mark C. Toner, Ambassador of the United States of America, and Urban Sjostrom, the Ambassador of Sweden in Liberia. Notable facilitators include Omolara T. Balogun, Head of Policy Influencing and Advocacy at the West Africa Civil Society Institute in Ghana; Mr Emmy Otim, Regional Manager for the Program for Young Politicians in Africa/Uganda; Dr. Hannah Issatta Sao-Kpato Macarthy, Minister of Water Resource and Sanitation of Sierra Leone; and Hon. Francis Ben Kaifala, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone.
Further contributions will be made by H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet Liberia, Senator, Amara Konneh, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts in Liberia, and Senator Edwin M. Snowe Jr., Head of Delegation at the ECOWAS Parliament, and Michael Johannes, Elections and Political Processes Team-Lead, USAID Liberia, etc.