LIS, NAYMOTE Hold Youth Legislative Policy Dialogue

-To Deepen Their Understanding of the First Branch of Govt

The Legislative Information Service (LIS) in collaboration with the National Youth Movement for Transparent Election (NAYMOTE) Tuesday May 21, 2019 ended a two day Youth Legislative Policy Dialogue.

In his introductory statement, a staff of NAYMOTE, Aaron Weah-Weah said the dilaogue was important because it deepens the understaning of young people and other citizens on the roles of the National  Legislature.

According to Weah-Weah, his organization has observed that after elections, there is a disconnect between electorates and their lawmakers, saying the dialogue was necesssary to address such concerns where the electorates, particularly young people can interact with their lawmakers.

For his part, the Head of Governance at the UNDP, James Monibah commended LIS and NAYMOTE for the dialogue because the 1986 Constitution of Liberia provides the space for citizens to be informed of the governance process of their country.

“We are working with NAYMOTE to engage young people  of their roles because they play a very critical role in the growth and development of the country.  There is a need to access direct information from the National Legislature,” Monibah said.

He reminded those in attendance that the roles of young people cannot be ignored in any given society, evoking the 2008 National Housing and Population Census result, which states that 60% of the country’s population is young people.

“There is a risk if young people are not empowered and this meeting should continue. The government through the National Legislature should provide information in a timely manner and young people should conduct themselves well,” he added.

Also speaking, House Speaker Bhofal Chambers informed the participants that as part of the style of governance, citizens must hold and respect the standards in line with  democracy.

“As part of the principle of democracy, lawmakers are there to serve their people. We should provide tolerance and mutual respect for all of us. The National Legislature is the first branch of government, but that doesn’t mean it is superior,” Speaker Chambers added.

He urged the participants to do all of what it takes to move the country forward. He added “We must work together to ensure harmony.”