Monrovia — The Campaign for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) has successfully concluded two impactful Youth Human Rights Training sessions in Lofa and Montserrado Counties, equipping 80 young advocates with essential skills to promote and defend human rights in Liberia.
In collaboration with UN Human Rights, through the Youth Promotion Initiative Project supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the initiative underscores the vital role of youth in human rights advocacy and policy influence.
The training sessions were held from March 5 to 6 in Lofa County and from March 18 to 19 in Montserrado County. The workshops covered a broad range of topics, including fundamental human rights, human rights mechanisms, monitoring and reporting violations, digital rights and inclusion, advocacy tools and techniques, and policies on human rights defenders.
Expert facilitators from the Ministry of Justice, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), UN Human Rights, and CHRD led the sessions, offering participants practical tools and strategies to strengthen their advocacy efforts.
During the Montserrado training, Mr. Christian Mukosa, Country Representative of UN Human Rights in Liberia, emphasized the importance of youth participation in the promotion of human rights. "For human rights to be fully realized, everyone must be involved--especially young people, who make up over 50 percent of Liberia's population," he stated, reaffirming the commitment of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to advancing human rights in the country.
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Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, Executive Director of CHRD, highlighted the need for young people to take the lead in promoting and defending human rights. He also expressed appreciation to UN Human Rights for its continued support. "The Campaign for Human Rights and Development remains dedicated to advancing human rights in Liberia and across Africa through diverse approaches--especially youth-centered strategies," Yanzee said. "We are leading the charge for human rights realization and will ensure that participants actively monitor and report violations."
The training received widespread praise for its inclusivity, with participants from diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. Many attendees described the experience as eye-opening and transformative, welcoming the opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute meaningfully to the human rights movement.
"This training has been incredibly enlightening, and I'm grateful to be part of it," several participants shared during discussions and interviews.
