During April 4-8, 2016, Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE) organized the inaugural Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) in Liberia. NAYMOTE, the leading grassroots organization in Liberia, was created to promote democracy with civic engagements throughout the country. YPLS’s first semester workshop included 43 students representing political parties and community based organizations.

 

The students were introduced to “tools and knowledge needed to support the development of research-based campaign platforms, how to effectively build, engage and manage voters, lead effective political campaigns, to and deliver issue based campaign messages.” After the one-week training workshop, YPLS graduates put their training to use and collaborated with NAYMOTE to educate first-time voters and students about the election process. NAYMOTE, plans to work with workshop graduates in promoting democracy by conducting civic voter education throughout Liberia. “There is a dire need to have positive thinking, young citizens educated about voting in Liberia,” said Eddie Jarwolo, the Executive Director of NAYMOTE. Future YPLS workshops are scheduled to occur in July, September and December of 2016.