-Ahead of International Youth Day
By Mark N. Mengonfia
Youths from different organizations of young people over the weekend gathered at the Parker Paint Junction in their numbers to give the deplorable road a facelift as they observed International Youth Day (IYD).
The groups of young Liberians were brought together to observe what is known as International Youth Day, which is commemorated 12 August every year.
Speaking in an interview, the Executive Director of Peaceful Youth Association for Transformation (PYAT-Inc), Leon N. Gehyigon said they as young people saw the need to collaborate with other organizations of like minds to ensure that they impact their community, as they observed that international day.
Giving a background of how they as an organization entered the agreement to collaborate in the observance of the IYD, Mr. Gehyigon indicated that they were engaged by the Camp for Peace Liberia, an organization that deals with affairs of young people requesting that they (PYAT-Inc) form part of the collaboration to observe that international day of young people.
“We agreed and form part and as you can see today we have many youth groups here who are volunteering their services to community free. That what we call volunteerism” the PYAT-Inc Executive Director indicated.
He informed journalists that young people around the world have been observing International Youth Day since its endorsement by the United National General Assembly in 1999 and August 12 has been the day set aside to commemorate the day.
“Since the this year August 12 falls on Sunday which is a major Religious Day in Liberia, we decided to celebrate the day on two separate occasions, August 11 &13 and as part of the celebration, we are filling in pot holds from this junction to the Coca Cola Factory area and we are as well bushing the side of the road,” Mr. Gehyigon said.
He went on to give a brief history of International Youth Day (IYD).
“It is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world,” the youth leader explained.
International Youth Day’s Slogan for 2014 was Youth and Mental Health. For 2015, it was Youth and Civic Engagement. The theme of the 2016 International Youth Day was “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production.” For 2017, the theme of IYD is “Youth Building Peace”. For this year, the international slogan “Save Spaces for Youth” while Liberian youth adopted a slogan that says “Providing save spaces for Youth to contribute to Peace, Security and National Development”
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director for Camp for Peace, B. Abel Learwellie said that his organization partnered with over 20 youth focused non-governmental organizations within Montserrado County to ensure that their goal of filling in pot holds on the Parker Paint – Coca Cola road.
He indicated that though government has promised to complete that part of the road very soon but he was quick to have said that the huge traffic created on the road each day.
According to him, it was prudent to have organized young people of Liberia to contribute to the rebuilding process of this country.
This year’s International Youth Day celebration was single-handedly sponsored by the Camp For Peace, Mr. Learwellie said.
But he vowed never to give up when it comes to supporting the affairs of young people on grounds that since he got to know himself he has done no other work rather than working with young people.
He indicated that it is always important for national and international organizations to always sponsor initiatives of young people stressing that young people
Mr. Learwellie advised young people to always engage into positive ventures that will help with the development of Liberia.
“Back in those days, young people were used to perpetrate evils, but I want them to see themselves as people who have a major part to play in the development of Liberia”.
The Camp for Peace among others collaborated with the Peaceful Youths for Transformation (PYAT-Inc), Access Empowerment Network (ACENET), Liberia Information Technology Student Union, Sustainable Education Initiative Liberia Inc, Kids Development Initiatives, Youth Media Network Liberia.
Members of the Liberia National police were as well instrumental in ensuring that the work is done.
A Sergeant of the Liberian National Police, Mary P. Howelloy of the Zone Five Police Deport two said, ”we are very happy for this kind of work. It will help to reduce the huge traffic on this road which can make use stay working until sometimes 10 to 11 PM.”