Published: January 21, 2025
Monrovia – On January 17, 2025, the Youth Transforming Africa Narrative (YOTAN), a prominent local civil society organization, concluded a three-day intensive training workshop for 50 distinguished advocates and emerging leaders from Liberia’s 15 political subdivisions.
The workshop is part of YOTAN’s flagship Young African Civic (YAC) Fellowship, which aims to foster effective leadership and civic engagement among African youth. Designed to inspire and equip young individuals with the skills, knowledge, and platforms necessary to drive change, the fellowship focuses on addressing governance challenges and promoting equitable, inclusive growth across the continent.
Program Overview
The YAC Fellowship spans six months, incorporating a structured curriculum to build leadership capacity through a multi-faceted approach. Participants gain a deeper understanding of democracy, civic participation, social innovation, and governance while fostering collaboration and innovative thinking.
Donnish M. Pewee, Executive Director of YOTAN, underscored the program’s significance. “This program serves as a launchpad for future leaders, equipping them to create impactful solutions to local, national, and continental challenges,” Pewee stated. He emphasized that the initiative empowers young changemakers with the tools, networks, and expertise needed to tackle systemic challenges, promote inclusive governance, and inspire transformational change across Liberia and beyond.
Pewee added, “Building a movement of empowered young leaders dedicated to driving sustainable change aligns with YOTAN’s overarching vision of a just and inclusive society where youth are empowered to lead transformational change and champion democratic values.”
Participants’ Reflections
Fellows expressed their gratitude for the initiative and shared their experiences. Antonitte Vanwen from Bong County described her excitement: “I am so excited to be part of this event; it has changed my life. We were encouraged to make maximum use of our youthfulness because tomorrow, when we’re older, we might not be able to effectively engage policymakers.”
Vanwen also highlighted the training’s focus on leveraging media for advocacy, noting, “We were informed of the various types of communications and storytelling methods to best reach our audience.”
Thomas Salary Jr. from Lofa County reflected on the workshop’s impact on fostering entrepreneurial spirit among fellows. “We were encouraged to get involved in businesses that will, in return, help us provide vital assistance to our communities,” he remarked.
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