29 June 2007

Monrovia, Liberia: The Government of Liberia and the United Nations Development Programme have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a partnership for the official launch of the National Youth Volunteers Services (NYVS) programme in Liberia. The Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, Dr. Toga McIntosh signed for the Liberian Government while UNDP Country Director Steven Ursino signed on behalf of UNDP.

The National Youth Volunteer Service programme is an innovative initiative by the government of Liberia and development partners to engage the services of youth to voluntarily contribute their time and services to the reconstruction and development of Liberia. The programme will start initially with 100 graduates from the various Universities who will attend a one-month training on a number of topics including anticorruption policies. Following the training, the youth will volunteer for six months in the rural areas of Liberia helping to contribute in strengthening the educational system, health and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Making remarks at the signing ceremony, Planning and Economic Affairs Minister Toga McIntosh said the National Youth Volunteer Service has two significant benefits. He said, “there is tangible and intangible effect on other youth in the community as a result of contribution from national volunteers and the initiative also contributes to self development”. He said the government is developing a long-term strategy to deal with the challenges facing the youth of Liberia. He assured that the government would undertake an assessment to deal with the emerging challenges.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNDP Country Director Steven Ursino said “ we see this as one component at capacity development which is central to Liberia”. He thanked the government for giving the kind of leadership that is required to move this initiative forward which started with the Kakata Declaration and the National Youth Policy document.

Youth and Sports Minister Jamesetta Wolokolie, in remarks said. “ National Youth Volunteer Service is an initiative that is crucial to youth involvement in the reconstruction process, and in order to be successful, it will require the input of government and non-governmental organizations”. She said, “We are pleased that the UNDP, who has been a consistent partner of this ministry, has taken up the challenge to help our government in meeting some of the challenges facing our youth”.

Also speaking, the UN Volunteer Programme Officer at UNDP, Ilaria Carpen said the UNV Programme has been responding to the called for volunteerism through the mobilization of thousands of youth nationally beginning with the clean-up campaign held in Zwedru and Monrovia in November and December to observe International Volunteer Day last year. She said the idea of volunteerism is simple but the potential is enormous. She spoke of the collaboration with the Phelps Stokes Foundation for the use of workspace technologies that may allow for e-libraries and distance learning programs in communities.