The National Youth Parliament – The Gambia (NYP) on Tuesday starts a nationwide capacity building training for its members in Kerewan, North Bank Region.
The project, funded by UNPFA through the United Nation Peace-building Fund, seeks to train the 30 members of the youth network in all the regions of the country.
The aim of the project is to support NYP members through training to strengthen youth engagement mechanisms in the country. This will availed the members the opportunity to understand their mandates as youth parliamentarians as well as governance at organizational level, leadership, youth participation and advocacy.
Fatou M. Jawo, Deputy Speaker of NYP, describes the initiative as very pertinent. “Our members are very critical to national development initiatives hence their capacity building to understand their mandate is crucial”, says Ms. Jawo.
“It is very imperative that, our members and young people of the country understand governance, leadership, youth participation and so on. These areas are quite essential in promoting youth participation in decision making at regional and national level”, she concludes.
Ada M. Bojang, Project Coordinator of NYP Peace-building project says the project could not have come at the better time. “This initiative really comes at the right time. In this new dispensation, promotion of youth participation and tolerance should be treasured”, she says.
She challenges the members of the organization in region to demonstrate the required commitment during the course of the training and applauses UNFPA The Gambia for supporting the initiative.
Fatou S. Ndure, a participant, posits that, the session is interactive and educative, “Today, I learned lot things about NYP Gambia, governance and advocacy. I am sure these will help me a great deal to be great member and support peace building in my community”, she says. She thanked UNFPA The Gambia for supporting NYP to conduct this laudable initiative.
Muhammed Lamin Dibba, a member of NBR regional youth parliament, indicates that, the training of the members is a very significant step and he hails NYP and UNFPA Gambia profoundly. Adding, “Peace is the ultimate catalyst for development and prosperity. This training will help us to; first and foremost become good members and also champions of youth engagement and peace-building initiatives in The Gambia.”
Central River Region is next for a similar training.
