Articulating  their Needs and Interests in a Non-Violent Manner

The Civil Peace Service (CPS) is a German-sponsored program to prevent violence and promote peace in crisis zone and conflict regions.

The program’s objective is for young people to articulate their needs and interests in a non-violent manner.

The YMCA CPS is youth-led and driven, with the program plan being to train, empower and connect young women and men to become change agents in their communities and contribute to peace and development. The YMCA uses the Subject to Citizens (S2C) approach and works with a spectrum of the youth population focusing on disadvantaged youth, young women and girls, and youth with disabilities.

In this vein, an Inter-High School Peace Symposium on Non-Violence was held in Monrovia at the G W Gibson School Auditorium, with over 70 participants from schools in Monrovia, as well as Peace Advocates from Gbarnga, Kakata, Montserrado, and Nimba participating in the symposium.

The Civil Peace Service of the YMCA Liberia organized the program for young people to articulate their needs and interests in a non-violent manner. Young trainees acting as Peace Advocates engage in peace-building and development activities in their communities. The goal is to empower them to act as key community stakeholders. At the same time, young women and girls develop the agency to participate in decision-making at the community level.

In working to achieve these objectives and indicators, four panelists made up of Gender Advocates and Peace-building experts shared facts, gave their opinions, and responded to questions from students from various schools to participate in a Fish Bowl Discussion.

Gender Advocate, Janet Risk shared her opinion on « Female Participation in Non-Violence Actions. » She noted a key to promoting Peaceful Elections: « Women’s participation in local activities at all levels is important… Women’s participation at the National Legislature is key to decision-making, which will positively affect women. »

She also pointed out that some women shied away from activities and events, which hinder their participation at local and national levels, noting that it is essential for women to be actively involved with issues that affect their lives. She also called for massive women’s participation in the upcoming electoral process, noting that their participation will make their voices be heard aloud.

Another Panelist, Peace Building Expert at NARDA, Mr. Satu Doe, said elections present a divide, and it is essential that people realize this and take the necessary steps to avoid violence. « There are issues such as the Electoral Law and the Processes that may present problems; voters are the most important force during any elections, and when overlooked, sparks problem. »

« It is important that voters understand who they are voting for and why. » « This is where civic and voters’ education makes voters know the processes of elections and what they stand for: »

Mr. Satu said it is essential to disseminate peace messages as some voters will not get involved in things they are unaware of and involved in.

On the role of High School Students in Effecting Non-Violence and Social Change in Liberia in Awake of 2023 Elections, Betty Sia Sayway, a student of the Kofi Anan Institute, said it is vital that peace messages are sent out to young people.

« Young people should consider their roles as future leaders and not mortgage their future by accepting a bag of rice or US$20.00 to vote for politicians. « How can you become all you want to be when you have sold your future »? She asked. She said it is time young people claim their future, noting that they may not achieve the change they want until they change their mindset. She concluded that disunity leads to violence and cautioned young people to avoid violence.

 Another issue enshrined in the CPS Peace Agenda during the peace symposium was how can Social Media play a significant role in conflict management or escalation in the wake of the 2023 elections?

Benedict Seekey, a Peace Expert at the Liberia YMCA, expounding on the topic, said that using social media can build or destroy a nation. He encouraged participants, young people, and all Liberians to use social media platforms to spread civic education messages noting that they all have a role to play in ensuring a non-violent society.

« As 2023 elections approach, I call on all young people and Liberians at large to use their social media platforms to spread positive messages so as not to create any room for violence. » He concluded.

 As part of the symposium, there was a fish bowl session where four participants at a time would ask questions or give their opinion on issues advanced by the panelists.

 Prior to the panelist’s discussion and the fish bowl session, the Coordinator of the YMCA Civil Peace Service Program, Decontee E. George, in an overview of the symposium, said the activities aim to encourage young people to use their voices and preach peace messages, while also being sincere in their undertakings.

 Antje Schulz, CPS Advisor on Gender and Communication at the Liberia YMCA, called on young people to use the knowledge acquired and stand for what they stand for, noting that « what you stand for is already on you. » Prior to the symposium, two days of training in peace-building were held for the CPS Peace Advocates from the four CPS program areas in Gbarnga, Kakata, Ganta and Montserrado on how to deal with conflict; understanding violence and non-violence,  and analyzing issues that affect young people in their communities. Additionally, they ran a planning session for upcoming civic engagements, one of which is today’s event of the YMCA Montserrado youth.