EU Ambassador on youth empowerment

The head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, says the EU will work with the Liberian government to ensure that youths are empowered for the betterment of the society.

In a statement Tuesday in Jenni-Ta, Cinta Township, upper Margibi County at programs marking the official dedication and donation of equipment to the Margibi Youth Resource Center, the EU envoy also indicated that youth development in any country is profoundly vital to its socio-economic growth and development.

She said there can be no full development of a country without the involvement of the youth as they are the replica of the preceding generation and must be prepared to take on future leadership of the country.

She also stressed that if the youth are to achieve their desired goal of becoming future leaders, who will take on national leadership, they must cultivate a true sense of responsibility, adding, the “best must come from you as future leaders.”

She noted that every day the European Union thinks about the youths of Liberia and how to help the Liberian government improve their lives, but stated that if Liberian youths are to be developed, they must at all times engage their government and its partners in a more matured manner that will win respect for them.

She assured the European Union’s full support to youth development initiatives, noting that “the EU will work along with the Liberian Government until the developmental drive is fully realized.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to boost the decentralization program in Liberia, the European Union through the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP has donated ten vehicles to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The donation is a demonstration of commitment on the part of the EU; the vehicles valued over US$183,000 were donated to enhance the decentralization process and equip local authorities in rural Liberia.

By Ben P. Wesee