In his keynote address, Mr. Bangura said there is need to update the current 2014 revised National Youth Policy and the corresponding Youth Acts. He maintained that, the process is not just about producing another youth policy document but that the review process must produce a set of documents which Sierra Leonean youth will have written by themselves.
“It should be an outcome that young people can relate with and one that will directly meet the needs of the 21st Century and the President Bio’s vision as outlined in the New Direction Manifesto,” the Minister said.
Mr. Bangura further explained that, he is delighted over the standards they have set as a ministry, adding that the ministry has found the right ally and partner to deliver on their ambitious vision
He referred to the launch as another significant milestone in their continued quest to deliver on the vision of President Bio. The minister promised that they hope to have at the end of the review the most collaborative, visibly transparent and inclusive document the ministry has ever had in the history of Sierra Leone.
He added that when President Bio was sworn into office over a year ago, he ushered in the New Direction, with a distinct vision for a progressive and inclusive path for the future of Sierra Leone.
He explained that the bedrock of the New Direction is human capacity development which he said, is a dedicated commitment to cultivating the country’s greatest and most potent resource which are children and youth.
Statements were made by the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, UNDP, UNFPA, Plan International and other international partners. They gave their fullest support to the review process and promised to continue to work with the Youth Ministry and the government.
