By Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — A delegation of young parliamentarians from The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia, and others converged in Gompa City, Liberia, to address regional challenges at the 7th Annual Youth Education and Leadership Conference 2025 — AYEAL, organized by the Youth Network for Positive Change (YOUNETPO).
Held from November 21-22, 2025, the conference was themed “Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future,” with a focus on advancing social and economic development through youth empowerment, education, development, and leadership in Africa.
The two-day event featured a range of activities, including workshops, strategic sessions, and the official launch of the West Africa Young Parliamentarians Network (WAYPA), a regional network aimed at fostering collaboration and progress among young leaders. The launch was accompanied by the induction of WAYPA’s officials, marking a significant milestone for the organization.
The conference boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, including Hon. Ethel Davis, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Designate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia; Hon. Samuel Enders, a lawmaker representing District #6 in Montserrado County and a member of Liberia’s delegation to ECOWAS; and representatives from partner organizations across the sub-region.
Through this conference, YOUNETPO reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people and promoting sustainable development in West Africa. The event provided a platform for young leaders to share ideas, build networks, and develop strategies for addressing the region’s pressing challenges, empowering youth to take their rightful place in shaping the future.
AYEAL Conference 2025 Libetia orator, Deputy Minister-Designate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ethel Davis underscored the importance of peace being more than just the absence of conflict.
According to her, peace is about the presence of justice, inclusion, opportunity, and hope. She emphasized that Liberia remains fully committed to engaging with youth-led networks and regional bodies that strengthen democratic institutions and promote cooperation among young policymakers.
In her remarks, Hon. Davis highlighted the critical role that young people play in shaping the future of their countries and the region as a whole. She reiterated Liberia’s dedication to fostering an environment where young leaders can thrive and contribute to the country’s development.
By collaborating with youth-led initiatives and regional organizations, Hon. Davis emphasized that Liberia aims to promote a culture of peace, stability, and prosperity.
Deputy Minister Davis urged the youths delegation to engage in positive endeavors that foster global understanding and cooperation, serving as bridges that connect nations through their shared pursuit of stability, opportunity, and a new generation of ethical leadership.
She emphasized that this approach would not only benefit their individual countries but also contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “The Missing Peace: The Role of Youth in Building and Sustaining Peace for Future Generations,” Deputy Minister Davis noted that it encapsulates a truth that demands urgent attention. She stressed that peace is not a passive state but rather an active process that requires the involvement and empowerment of young people.
According to her, peace is built when young individuals are equipped with the necessary skills, empowered to take charge, and entrusted with meaningful responsibilities.
Moreover, Deputy Minister Davis highlighted that peace is sustained when young people are not mere bystanders but rather the driving force behind national and regional transformation. “By empowering youth to become architects of peace, societies can unlock their full potential and create a brighter future for generations to come,” she noted.
Continuing, Deputy Minister-Designate Ethel Davis said, “As we gather in Nima County today, a county that has witnessed both the scars of war and the triumph of renewal, we are reminded of the fragility and preciousness of peace.”
She rallied the regional participants to reflect on the duty they share to protect and promote peace in their respective countries. “Our region has made significant progress, but it remains vulnerable to the threats of instability, conflict, and extremism,” she noted.
The Deputy Minister-Designate emphasized that youth leadership must be strategic, informed, and unwavering in its commitment to democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. She stressed that young leaders have a critical role to play in shaping the future of their countries and the region as a whole.
In a warm welcome to the visiting delegates, Deputy Minister Davis extended a special greeting to the young parliamentarians from The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and other countries, saying, “Liberia welcomes you warmly. Your presence here strengthens the bond of regional cooperation and reminds us that West Africa’s destiny is intricately interconnected.”
She added, “The conversations you hold here, the networks you build, and the commitments you make will continue to ripple across our respective countries, inspiring positive change and fostering a brighter future for our region.”
She emphasized that the parliamentarian network embodies the collective conviction that the future of the region hinges on empowering young people to participate in leadership, governance, policy formulation, and peacebuilding.
“In a region where over 60% of our population is under the age of 30, inclusive leadership is not a choice – it’s a necessity,” she declared. “We cannot afford to marginalize the voices and energies of our youth; instead, we must harness their dynamism, creativity, and passion to drive progress.”
The Deputy Minister noted that Liberia is proud to host this event at a time when youth voices are rising with clarity and purpose across West Africa. “Young people are demanding space in national decision-making, and they are demonstrating remarkable capability when given the opportunity,” she said.
She highlighted Liberia’s own democratic journey as a testament to the transformative power of young people who continue to shape civic discourse, expand advocacy, and assume leadership roles at local and national levels.
By investing in young people and providing them with opportunities for growth and development, Deputy Minister Davis emphasized that West Africa can unlock its full potential and build a brighter future for generations to come. She reiterated the importance of creating an enabling environment that allows young people to thrive and contribute to the development of their countries.
The 7th Annual Youth Education and Leadership Conference 2025 in Liberia provided a pivotal platform for young people to engage in discussions on pressing issues affecting their generation. One of the key topics on the agenda was the underrepresentation of youth in West Africa’s public space, a challenge that demands attention and action from national leaders.
Through panel discussions, workshops, and plenary sessions, young participants had the opportunity to confront national leaders and policymakers about the need for greater representation and inclusion in decision-making processes.
The conference served as a catalyst for youth voices to be heard, and for leaders to be held accountable for promoting youth empowerment and participation in governance.
By bringing together young leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, the conference aimed to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and leadership opportunities, and to identify concrete solutions for increasing youth representation in West Africa’s public space.
