Post a comment Moyamba District has joined Sierra Leone and communities around the world in commemorating International Youth Day 2026, with stakeholders highlighting the role of young people in promoting sustainable development and driving positive change in their communities.
The commemoration, supported by ActionAid Sierra Leone (AASL) and the Network Support for Peace Education (NeSPE), is focused on this year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”
The theme highlights the contribution of young people to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through locally driven initiatives and community-based solutions.
According to journalist Joseph Tengbeh, the Moyamba commemoration is also providing an opportunity to recognise the contributions of young people to community and national development.
Across Sierra Leone, young people are increasingly engaged in areas including climate action, technology and innovation, agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding and community development.
In Moyamba and other parts of the country, youth groups are leading initiatives in areas such as waste management, digital literacy, community development and job creation, demonstrating the potential of grassroots youth-led action to contribute to sustainable development.
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With artificial intelligence, green jobs, entrepreneurship and digital technology creating new opportunities, stakeholders are calling for greater investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and digital skills.
Young people are also calling for greater participation in decision-making processes at community, school, local government and national levels.
“We are not only the leaders of tomorrow; we are leading today. We are solving problems in our communities right now,” a youth representative in Moyamba said.
Stakeholders are encouraging the government, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to strengthen support for youth-led initiatives through access to financing, mentorship, skills training, leadership opportunities and safe spaces for innovation.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in partnership with development partners and youth organisations, is also supporting activities including nationwide dialogues, skills fairs and community clean-up exercises as part of the International Youth Day 2026 commemoration.
International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day in 1999 to draw attention to issues affecting young people and recognise their potential as important partners in development.
As Moyamba joins the global observance, stakeholders are calling for sustained investment in young people and greater recognition of their contributions to community and national development.
