Project update New (Leymah)

Engaging Youth, Embracing Leadership

The current report focuses on the Annual Peace Through Fair Play (PTFP) Youth Camp, but it is worth noting that GPFA also hosted its annual Youth PeaceJam leadership conference in December. A brief summary of the conference is provided at the end of this report.

The 8th Annual Peace Through Fair Play (PTFP) Youth Camp, held in Lofa County, Liberia, from July 6th to 12th, 2024, brought together 50 young participants aged 10-16 under the theme “Engaging Youth, Embracing Leadership, and Enhancing Peace.” Organized by the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), the camp aimed to instill values of respect, tolerance, and accountability in youth through interactive peacebuilding activities. Participants engaged in games, discussions, and problem-solving tasks that promote teamwork and peaceful conflict resolution. Highlights of the camp included visits to key government institutions and dynamic sessions led by Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, empowering the youth to think critically about leadership and civic responsibility.

The camp is part of GPFA’s Transformative Leadership Initiative (TLI) and has been running since 2013. The 2024 edition focused on educating young Liberians about the history, politics, and significance of peace in their post-conflict nation. The program emphasized inclusivity, ensuring full participation from campers with disabilities, and fostered a diverse learning environment. Divided into color-coded

Campers with Associate Supreme Court of Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr

8th Annual Peace Through Fair Play(PTFP) Youth Camp :

Key Highlights and Major Achievements

Leadership and Civic Engagement: Campers visited key government institutions, including the Supreme Court and Liberian Legislature, learning about governance and civic responsibility. They capped the experience by delivering speeches advocating for community improvements.

Community Empowerment: Campers participated in local community service projects, emphasizing the importance of civic duty and community building.

Peace Education: Discussions on Liberia's civil war and interactive activities like storytelling and drawing helped campers understand peacebuilding and express their visions of peace.

Inclusivity: The camp ensured that participants with disabilities were fully engaged, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in youth programs.

Enhanced Civic Awareness: Campers left with a deeper understanding of government and felt empowered to actively participate in civic life.

Improved Leadership Abilities: The camp helped develop skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, preparing participants for future leadership roles.

Peacebuilding Skills: The program instilled values of non-violence and tolerance, providing tools to analyze conflicts and foster peace.

Community Impact: The emphasis on community service motivated campers to engage in efforts to improve their local communities.

CampCampers stood for a group photo at the House of Representative

Inclusivity Matters: the inclusion of campers with disabilities highlighted the importance of accessible programming for all participants.

Effective Logistical Planning: unforeseen transportation and accommodation challenges underscored the need for detailed contingency plans.

Civic and Cultural Engagement: visits to government institutions and activities focused on cultural traditions enriched the educational experience, providing real-world context for the lessons taught during the camp.

The best camper and peace ambassador delivered a speech

at the members of the House of Representatives.

Campers visited the Lorma-Zue Farm. Campers perform traditional dance at PTFP

CampCampers conducted community service in Zorzor Lofa County

The sustainability and growth of the 8th Annual Peace Through Fair Play(PTFP) Youth Camp are highlighted by plans to expand participant outreach beyond Lofa County, enhance training for facilitators and volunteers, invest in improved infrastructure, and maintain a focus on inclusivity and community engagement. These steps will ensure the camp's continued success and impact.

In conclusion, the camp was highly successful, equipping young Liberians with leadership and peacebuilding skills. With ongoing support from the United Peace International, the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa is committed to expanding this initiative and empowering future leaders to promote peace and community development in Liberia.

The Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa hosted its annual Youth PeaceJam leadership conference inDecember. The 6th Annual PeaceJam conference brought together 300 students from diverse backgrounds and locations. PeaceJam had the honor of welcoming 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Tawakkol Karman fromYemen as the guest speaker. During the conference, GPFA promotes tolerance and fosters connections between cultures. PeaceJam, a youth leadership conference, is grounded in a peace education curriculum inspired by the lives of 14 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, including Leymah Gbowee.