Camp for Peace Liberia (CfP), a youth led civil society organization has ended a two-day intensive training workshop for “Behavior Change Ambassadors” in Kakata, Margibi County, from Thursday, June 29 – Friday, June 30, 2017.
The workshop, which brought together 40 youths, 20 males and 20 females with in the age of 18 – 35 years, aimed at
ensuring that youth acquire knowledge and skills to become agents and ambassadors of change for free and peaceful elections in Liberia. The training was part of a “Behavior Change Campaign” that is simultaneously being conducted in various communities and schools in Monrovia and Kakata respectively.
Under the theme, “Achieving Behavior Change towards Peaceful Elections in Liberia” is a project supported by the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC). A specific training module tailored to enhance the youth capacity was developed for the training. Topics in the module includes, but not limited to the following: Effective communication skills, handling confrontations, conflict mitigation, negotiation, nonviolence and civic engagement, reduction of prejudice, stereotype, perception and reconciliation.
Making remark at the close of the training, the youth coordinator of Camp for Peace Liberia, Mr. Philip Saturday 
Quoqui admonished his fellow youths to take the skills they have acquire serious and remain engaged in applying so as to serve as good ambassadors for peace during these electioneering periods. Mr. Quoqui said CfP will continue to engage in building sustainable relationship and collaboration with other civil society groups and relevant stakeholders to effectively manage conflicts before, during and after the 2017 general and presidential elections in Liberia.
Also speaking at the closing exercise was the Executive Director, Mr. B. Abel Learwellie. He firstly thanked the trainers and the youth groups for coming together to chart a common course in the interest of peace in Liberia. Mr. Learrwellie challenged the youth to be more proactive in spotting violence that would have the propensity of disrupting the fragile peace. He told the youth not to allow themselves to be used by bad politicians as perpetrators, but rather strive as agents of positive change. He said Liberia’s future can only be protected by Liberians, especially the youths who are in the majority. He concluded by asking the youths to remain tolerance and respectful irrespective of their social, political, ethnicity and religious affiliations. He said; consider yourself as the light and tension cooler.
Meanwhile, the youth, speaking through a spoke person, reaffirmed their commitment and dedication to the process
of holding peaceful elections. He said we will do all in our powers to ensure that the 2017 elections are peaceful. He assured CfP on behalf of the participants that the skills and messages acquired and heard in the workshop will be transferred to other youths and community members who do not have the opportunity to be part of the training. He said we are the future of our county and must make sure to protect it for ourselves and the next generation.
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