Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Mabulara Tsuene highlighted that youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow but changemakers today. She stressed that their voices, creativity and leadership are critical in shaping Sierra Leone’s future. 

Dr. Julius Foday, International Aid & Cooperation Manager at the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, also stressed the need to ensure that youth voices are meaningfully included in decision-making processes. He noted that advancing the YPS agenda will require confronting the persistent challenge of youth exclusion from these important discussions. 

Over the two days, participants including representatives of Ministries, Departments Agencies of government, CSOs working on governance, peace and security, youth groups and other stakeholders interrogated the five pillars of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (participation, protection, prevention, partnerships and reintegration) and explored possible measures to localize these in Sierra Leone. The workshop also provided a platform for experiential learning from Nigeria and The Gambia, where National Action Plans on YPS are developed and currently implemented. The workshop provided a space for participants to learn from these experiences including the pitfall that should be avoided in shaping a way forward for Sierra Leone.

Participants expressed commitment to the domestication of the YPS agenda through the development of a national roadmap.  The roadmap will inform nationwide consultations to ensure the voices of young people across the country are heard, and the eventual drafting of an inclusive National Action Plan that reflects their needs and aspirations.