LocationsUNDP Sierra Leone and the Netherlands Institute for International Relations ‘Clingendael’ train Youth Political Party Leaders in Negotiation and Consensus-building
February 17, 2023
A cross-section of youth political leaders during a multiparty mediation session
In partnership with the Political Party Regulation Commission (PPRC), UNDP Sierra Leone and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’ trained 51 youth political party leaders in negotiation and consensus building, ahead of the country’s 2023 elections.
With funding support from the UN Secretary-General’s Peace Building Funds (PBF) and UNDP Sierra Leone, the training and engagements with these young political leaders held in Freetown (24th January - 1st February 2023) have provided youth leaders with negotiation and mediation skills and techniques that will help them to make conscious choices on dispute prevention and support inter and intra-party mediation processes.
The newly trained youth political leaders have also been empowered to further develop their skills and knowledge in undertaking a successful dialogue process to peacefully resolve conflicts.
Samuel Macauley is a youth leader and National Public Relations Officer for the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) political party. He believes that young people have a serious role to play in negotiation and consensus building, and that is a commitment and a cause he has given to his heart and passion.
“We want to make sure that going into the 2023 elections and beyond, young people are not seen as the perpetrators of violence but as leaders bringing their communities together to address issues of violence."Samuel Macauley
Samuel Macauly - a youth leader and National Public Relations Officer for the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) political party.
In the United Nations system, the critical role of youth in driving positive change is highly recognized. Young people are described as key agents of change in the 2030 Agenda and crucial actors in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meaningful inclusion of young people in decision-making processes is also key to the commitment in the 2030 Agenda to “leave no one behind,” and the role that young people play in advancing peaceful, just, and inclusive societies (SDG 16) is fundamental and more widely acknowledged. This is also reaffirmed by the UN Security Council Resolutions 2250 and 2419, which encourage the inclusion of the voices of youth in decision-making.
Clingendael was founded in 1983 and is in the top ten of think tanks in Western Europe. Its Academy is one of the largest diplomatic training academies in the world. Since 2005, the Clingendael Academy has trained thousands of diplomats and high-level international professionals from around the world. Its staff members have provided training and support to mediation initiatives in dozens of peace processes and for over 250 humanitarian aid organizations. Clingendael has been a trusted partner for various branches of the UN and mediation organizations such as the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva Call, and is a member of the Mediation Support Network.
