The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in collaboration with international development partners, convened the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee and the National Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace and Security on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Freetown. This milestone event, co-funded by the European Union and supported by ECOWAS, UNDP, and other partners, brought together government leaders, civil society organizations, international development agencies, and youth representatives, underscoring a shared commitment to placing young people at the center of the country’s peace and security frameworks.
Attendees included the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, alongside senior government officials and diverse stakeholders.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, emphasized the urgency of meaningfully including young people in decision-making processes that affect their lives and the nation’s stability. “This inaugural meeting marks a turning point in our national commitment to youth, peace and security,” he declared. “Young people are not just beneficiaries of peace, they are drivers of peace.” He outlined the Ministry’s efforts to address unemployment, skills development, and exclusion through youth-centered policies, and reassured that the new Steering Committee would bridge government action with grassroots youth participation.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator reaffirmed the UN’s support for Sierra Leone in advancing the global Youth, Peace and Security agenda. She highlighted the country’s youth population as both an opportunity and a challenge, noting that harnessing their energy constructively is key to consolidating peace and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The event also highlighted Sierra Leone’s alignment with global frameworks, including UN Security Council Resolutions 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), and 2535 (2020), as well as the African Union’s Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security, all of which stress the importance of youth inclusion in peacebuilding and governance.
Sierra Leone’s context makes the initiative especially relevant. With over 60 percent of the population being young, the country’s future depends on integrating their aspirations into development and peacebuilding policies. The scars of the civil war serve as a reminder of the consequences of marginalization, but today’s youths are increasingly engaged in entrepreneurship, education, advocacy, and leadership, making them indispensable partners for stability and growth.
Civil society organizations and youth representatives welcomed the establishment of the Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, as a significant step toward institutionalizing youth participation. They urged the government and partners to ensure an inclusive and transparent process responsive to the needs of young people in all communities. The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and other officials stressed the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, noting that youth involvement in community policing, early warning systems, and civic education can reduce violence, crime, and extremism, while promoting national cohesion.
The meeting concluded with commitments to strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources, and support an inclusive action plan prioritizing youth engagement in peace and security. Participants agreed that the new bodies would ensure coordination and serve as a model for regional youth-centered peacebuilding efforts. As Sierra Leone continues to consolidate its peace, this initiative stands as a bold step toward empowering young people to play a constructive role in shaping a stable and prosperous future. The landmark meeting closed with a renewed sense of optimism, representing not just another conference, but a concrete step toward redefining the role of youths as active partners in development.