Liberia was among other countries around the world that observed this year's celebration of Global Youth Democracy Day. During programs marking the observance of the day organized by National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections-Partners for Democratic Development, Liberian youths were urged to take the forefront of the political processes of the country.

As part of the celebration, the organization on Friday, October 16, 2009 organized and conducted an indoor program marking the 4th annual celebration of the Global Youth for Democracy Campaign in Liberia.

The program, which is usually celebrated on October 18 every year, was commemorated on the 16th because October 18th this year fell on Sunday. The event brought together over 50 youth and student leaders, as well as local and international partners from various INGO, CSOs, university students, government officials, secondary schools student's leadership and community-based organization executives within Montserrado County.

This year's program was held under the theme "Moving Young People to the Forefront of the Political Processes in Post-conflict Liberia" and designed to stimulate discussions among young people on crucial national issues that will enhance sustainable peace and democracy as Liberians approach the 2011 national elections.

The program comprised remarks, drama, documentary and presentation. The National General Sectary of the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA), Mr. Edward Gboe, served as the keynote speaker, he spoke on the topic "The Role of Liberian Youth in Sustaining Peace and Democracy."

Mr. Gboe's speech literally presented logic of a preferred shift of young people role in politics from agitators to mentors, he challenged participants that they can be what they want to be; he stated that what you want to be really starts from inside and works its way to the outside. It is a paradigm of inward and outward "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he".

"We must be people who do not merely exist, but should have a sense of destiny, an inner awareness that despite the pain of the world, they are meant to be a part of solution", Mr. Gboe lamented.

He told young people in Liberia to free themselves from the blame mentality and take responsibility for their lives and have a sense of hope. In his conclusion, he said "our position as young people can also be better if we do not look for escapes rather than learn lessons from the trend of political governance and democracy in Liberia".

This, he said, was particularly important as we approach the 2011 and currently the Montserrado County by-election for the senatorial seat slated for November 10, 2009. "How do you give your votes? Are your choices character based or status focus?" our eloquent speaker asked the participants.

A drama on voting wisely was conducted by members of NAYMOTE's School Democracy Club; the club dramatized how politicians hunt for votes from young people at all cost during elections period to stay in power and care less about the masses who vote them to power.

A documentary title "Representative Democracy in America" which portrayed how the three branches of government works and how citizens' participation has enhanced the American democracy was screened.

The program was graced by the following personalities: Mr. Singbe Johnson, Director General of the RCI), a local media conglomerate; Mr. Sidi Diawara, of Trust Africa, Mr. Cyllah Almami, Regional Director Africa, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES); Mr. Daniel Bovel, of the U.S. Embassy, Joseph Sankatuah, President of the Federation of Liberia Youth (FLY), amongst others.

The program was made possible with funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).