Liberian youth leader Ms. Aria Deemie joined 20 young changemakers from across the globe in Mollina, Spain, for an intensive training on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in Elections, organized by UNDP and UNESCO.

Held from 14–21 September under the 24th University on Youth and Development (UYD), the training equips participants with advanced skills to counter disinformation, promote digital safety, and safeguard electoral integrity—key pillars of strong democratic processes.

Ms. Deemie was selected through a highly competitive process, recognizing her leadership in fact-checking, combating hate speech, and promoting information integrity during elections in Liberia.

Her participation was supported by the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid, the Embassy of Sweden, and UNDP.

“The UYD experience has been both intriguing and thought-provoking,” Ms. Deemie shared. I’ve learned new approaches to tackling mis/disinformation and algorithmic amplification, while also sharing Liberia’s experience in countering hate speech and strengthening electoral integrity.”

The training uses UNESCO’s Journey through the MILtiverse toolkit and interactive methods such as simulation games, role plays, and peer learning to foster youth leadership in elections.

Participants explored digital rights, resilience against misinformation, and emerging challenges like AI in electoral processes.

Ms. Deemie is also set to present a case study on the influence of journalists and digital content creators on electoral outcomes, using the U.S. General Elections as a benchmark—further cementing her role as a rising voice in global electoral integrity.

Participants will return home equipped to lead MIL initiatives, strengthen national electoral processes, and promote inclusive, participatory, and accountable democracies.

Katherine Green, Chief Technical Advisor of the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, emphasized the importance of this milestone:

“For Liberia, this highlights the value of investing in youth as agents of change and protectors of democratic values in the digital era.”

The UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, implemented in partnership with the National Elections Commission (NEC), UN Women, and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), aims to strengthen democratic institutions and processes in Liberia.