In a powerful call to action, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has challenged young Liberians to embrace their role as architects of Africa's future, urging them to turn the vision of the African Union's Agenda 2063 into reality through leadership, innovation, and active citizenship.

The message resonated throughout the 8th National Youth Peace Summer Camp, where 100 young leaders from Liberia's 15 counties gathered for a week of learning, dialogue, and collaboration focused on building a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous nation.

During an engaging dialogue with participants, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia challenged the young leaders to see themselves not as beneficiaries of Africa's future, but as the generation responsible for building it.

"Africa's future will not be shaped by slogans alone," Dia told participants. "Realizing the vision of Agenda 2063 requires young people to invest in knowledge, skills, leadership, and innovation. No one will build the Africa we want for us. We must do it ourselves."

His remarks underscored a central message of the camp: transforming Africa begins with individual commitment, continuous learning, and collective action.

Reflecting on the continent's journey, Dia encouraged participants to draw strength from Africa's history while remaining focused on the opportunities ahead.

"Our history should inspire resilience, not define our limitations. The responsibility to transform our continent rests with us, particularly with Africa's young people."

With more than half of Liberia's population under the age of 35, the conversation highlighted the critical role young people will play in addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. 

Participants were encouraged to prepare themselves for leadership in a rapidly changing world by investing in knowledge and building competencies in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate action, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, finance, and innovation.

If you are not investing in your knowledge, you are limiting your ability to contribute to society," Dia said. "Prepare yourselves to become the leaders, innovators, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who will shape Africa's future."

The dialogue also reinforced the idea that Agenda 2063 is not solely a government agenda, but a shared continental vision that requires the active participation of citizens, communities, institutions, and especially young people.

Organized by Messengers of Peace Liberia under the theme "Daily Commitments for Peace," the residential camp provided a platform for young people to strengthen their leadership abilities, deepen their civic engagement, and develop practical peacebuilding skills while exploring their role in shaping Liberia's development trajectory and Africa's long-term transformation.

The camp reflects a growing recognition that Africa's largest asset is its young population and that the continent's future will be determined by how effectively young people are empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute to sustainable development.

Gwendolyn Myers, Founder and Executive Director of Messengers of Peace Liberia, highlighted the transformative power of partnerships, mentorship, and opportunity in unlocking the potential of young people. 

Ms. Myers expressed appreciation to UNDP for its continued commitment to supporting youth development and creating spaces where young leaders can learn, connect, and grow.

For many participants, the camp served as more than a leadership programme. It provided a unique opportunity to exchange ideas across counties, build networks, strengthen their commitment to peace, and explore practical ways to positively impact their communities.

UNDP's support for the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to empowering young people as drivers of peace, democratic governance, and sustainable development. 

Through partnerships with youth-led organizations such as Messengers of Peace Liberia, UNDP continues to expand opportunities for young Liberians to develop leadership skills, foster social cohesion, and contribute meaningfully to achieving both the Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

As the week-long camp concluded, participants left with renewed purpose and a collective commitment to transform lessons learned into community action.

Their message was clear: young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow. They are leaders today, actively shaping a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Liberia while helping to advance the broader vision of the Africa we want.