2006 Press Releases

Ambassador Hull Advocates the Youth

 

June 23,2006

Freetown

Contact:Public Affairs Officer

Tel: 226481

FREETOWN. On Friday, June 23, 2006 at the Miatta Conference Center Ambassador Thomas N. Hull delivered the keynote address for a debate involving political parties and youth hosted by the Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI). Ambassador Hull expressed concern that the voices of the youth, who constitute over thirty percent of Sierra Leone’s population, be heard in shaping the political and economic campaign agendas for the 2007 elections.
 
The Ambassador encouraged participants to develop a common campaign agenda as it relates to youth by focusing on key issues, such as jobs, education and public health, during their deliberations. In this way, the nation’s political parties will be tools for the advancement of Sierra Leone’s youth.  His comments were delivered with the expectation that the event would not be used by parties to gain political advantage, but to “increase mutual understanding as part of the democratic process.”
 
The Ambassador recognized that employment was the highest priority on the youth agenda in Sierra Leone.  He stated that, “given the opportunity, youth can contribute to economic development.  The long-term solution is in sustainable jobs generated by private sector growth.”  He called on Government to give businesses incentives to hire youth, while also implementing labor intensive public works projects to relieve unemployment immediately.  Ambassador Hull announced that USAID is developing new activities to increase sustainable employment in agriculture in cooperation with the Government of Sierra Leone to support Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme priorities.
 
Ambassador Hull encouraged debate participants to consider addressing the youth’s concern in regards to justice. As an avenue for youth to “find fairness outside of modern and traditional courts”, Ambassador Hull emphasized stimulating local communities to develop alternate dispute resolution mechanisms.
 
The Ambassador concluded his address by encouraging the youth to take advantage of opportunities for employment when they are created. He emphasized that when the youth “are destitute, it is difficult to have hope, but when jobs become available, even if they seem menial and undignified, they are a step to a better future.”
 
YSLI is an organization with members focused on educating young Sierra Leoneans on how they can improve their lives and country. This non-governmental organization provides free education for underprivileged orphans and literacy programs for adult women. Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer, founder and chairman of YSLI, held a successful debate exercise on May 7, 2006 in Maryland, USA with members of Sierra Leone’s major political parties. With its executive offices in Marrieta, Georgia, YSLI provides health care/counseling for HIV/AIDS individuals and extensive training to their associates and volunteers in Senegal, the United States, and Sierra Leone.