Empowering Liberian Youth through Digital Literacy: A Collaborative Initiative for Civic Engagement and Peacebuilding
In a significant stride towards bolstering youth participation in national governance, Accountability Lab Liberia, in partnership with UN Women, the Peacebuilding Fund, and UNFPA, launched a two-day comprehensive orientation and refresher training program. This initiative, targeting twelve civil society organizations (CSOs) across Montserrado and Lofa counties, forms a crucial component of the "Accelerating Digital Opportunities for Youth Civic Participation" project. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of digital platforms in contemporary society, the project aims to equip young people with the necessary skills to engage constructively in civic discourse, advocate for their interests, and promote peace within their communities. The training emphasizes utilizing digital spaces as a primary avenue for advocacy and participation, enabling youth to amplify their voices and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The project, initially funded by UNFPA, embarked on its pilot phase approximately eighteen months ago, focusing on providing essential digital tools to selected CSOs. This involved procuring smartphones, computers, software, and calling cards, enabling these organizations to access and navigate the digital realm effectively. Subsequently, UN Women joined the partnership, bringing its expertise in training and capacity building. Accountability Lab Liberia emerged as the chosen partner to lead the training aspect of the project, leveraging its extensive experience in working with youth and fostering digital literacy. The collaborative nature of this initiative ensures a comprehensive approach, combining resource provision with essential training to maximize the project’s impact.
Structured as a "training of trainers" program, the current phase aims to empower individuals within the selected CSOs to lead digital literacy training within their respective communities. This cascade model aims to reach approximately 500 young people in Montserrado and Lofa, providing them with foundational and advanced digital skills. The success of this pilot phase holds the potential for expansion, with UN Women expressing interest in scaling up the project based on the initial outcomes. This signifies a long-term commitment to fostering digital literacy among Liberian youth, recognizing its transformative potential in driving positive societal change.
Accountability Lab Liberia, a non-profit organization with affiliations in ten countries and headquarters in the United States, operates under the mission of making government work for all citizens. Their approach centers on promoting active citizenry, responsible leadership, and accountable institutions. By shifting norms and behaviors surrounding accountability, the organization strives to establish integrity as the expected standard of conduct within society. This commitment to ethical governance underlines the importance of responsible digital engagement, ensuring that youth utilize their newfound skills constructively.
The project’s objectives encompass enhancing digital skills, supporting youth in establishing and delivering digital literacy training, and providing ongoing monitoring and mentorship. Recognizing the diverse range of digital platforms prevalent in Liberia, the training focuses on popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. While imparting general social media literacy, the curriculum emphasizes safe navigation within these platforms and their effective utilization for advocacy campaigns. This contextualized approach ensures that the training remains relevant and engaging for young Liberians, maximizing its practical value.
The training initiative resonates with the goals of participating organizations, such as Girls Tech, who champion the empowerment of young girls and women through digital skill development. Having previously implemented a program focused on digital campaigns for young women, Girls Tech recognizes the importance of this collaborative effort in furthering its mission. Furthermore, representatives from the Federation of Liberian Youths (FLY) highlight the project’s significance in promoting peace through digital means. This shared vision underscores the collective commitment to leveraging digital technology for positive social impact, particularly in promoting peace and advancing youth development. The project stands as a testament to the power of collaborative partnerships in driving meaningful change and empowering future generations.
