IPNEWS: As Liberia continues to strengthen democratic governance in an increasingly digital world, young people are taking center stage in promoting credible information, responsible online engagement, and peaceful democratic participation. Eighteen young leaders representing student journalists, youth organizations, political parties, and civil society gathered at the National Elections Commission (NEC) in Monrovia on 12 August for the second Media and Information Literacy for Democracy: Strengthening Youth Participation through Information Literacy workshop.
The workshop is part of a broader effort to equip young Liberians with practical skills to identify misinformation and disinformation, critically evaluate online content, and use digital platforms responsibly to strengthen democratic participation and electoral integrity. It is implemented by UNDP through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) in partnership with the NEC, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), and Local Voices Liberia with funding from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.
Investing in Young Leaders to Protect Democracy
Opening the workshop, Roosevelt Zayzay, LESP Project Officer, emphasized that empowering young people with media and information literacy skills is an investment in Liberia’s democratic future. Addressing the participants, he told them that the workshop is more than just an event but rather “it is an investment in a new generation of informed digital citizens who will champion truth, promote peaceful civic engagement, and strengthen the resilience of Liberia’s democracy”.
He encouraged participants to become ambassadors of information integrity by taking the knowledge acquired beyond the workshop into their schools, universities, organizations, communities, and digital platforms.
Promoting Responsible Information Ecosystems
Deputy Director of Communications of the NEC, Beatrice Jlopleh, challenged participants to become responsible users of digital platforms and not to use them negatively, particularly as Liberia prepares for future electoral processes. “Use these platforms positively to impact your generation. Elections are ahead, and while young people are active online, it is important not to allow others to misuse you. Instead, seize this opportunity to contribute positively to Liberia’s future,” she urged them.
Her remarks reinforced the Commission’s commitment to working with young people to build an informed electorate capable of resisting manipulation and promoting peaceful democratic engagement.
ThePUL President Julius Kanubah highlighted the critical role of media and information literacy in protecting democracy and empowering young people.
He described the initiative as an important step toward strengthening responsible use of both traditional and digital media, noting that Liberia’s young people are not merely consumers of technology but creators, innovators, and leaders capable of shaping governance and national development.
He further stressed the importance of confronting misinformation, disinformation, cyberbullying, and online harassment while ensuring that no one, particularly rural youth, women, and persons with disabilities, is left behind in Liberia’s digital transformation.
Building a Network of Digital Ambassadors
Participants welcomed the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of media and information literacy and pledged to cascade the knowledge gained within their respective institutions and communities.
Sarahlyn Suntay from Peter Quaqua School of Journalism said she looked forward to expanding her knowledge on media literacy, cyberbullying, and the responsible use of the internet to benefit society.
Similarly, Raymond C. Myers from Youth Aid Liberia expressed his desire to deepen his understanding of digital platforms and apply the lessons to promote responsible online engagement in the lead-up to future elections.
Throughout the day, participants examined the influence of traditional and digital media on civic participation, explored the dangers posed by misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and cyberbullying, and strengthened their skills through practical exercises, group discussions, and case studies adapted from the UNDP Youth Civic and Political Participation Curriculum and UNESCO’s Journey through the MILtiverse toolkit.
The workshop is the second in a three-part series. By equipping youth with critical thinking skills and promoting responsible digital citizenship, the initiative seeks to build a growing network of young champions who can foster peaceful dialogue, strengthen electoral integrity and enhance democratic resilience across Liberia.
The Liberia Electoral Support Project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, in collaboration with the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden. The Project supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance in Liberia.
