By Desmond Lewis
Sierra Leone – Amnesty International has successfully concluded a two-day intensive training program aimed at empowering young people with advocacy skills to tackle pressing issues such as drug abuse, cybersecurity, climate change, and gender equality.
Held at the organization’s headquarters on Water Street in Freetown, the training brought together more than youths from across the country, including students, community activists, and young professionals. Participants engaged in sessions designed to strengthen their understanding of human rights challenges and equip them with tools to promote sustainability and social justice.
In his opening remarks, Amnesty International Sierra Leone Director, Solomon Sogbandi, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with knowledge and skills to address climate change and cybersecurity within their communities. He encouraged participants to form committees to share the knowledge gained, noting that youth voices hold significant weight on both national and international platforms.
“Our goal is to help youths understand how climate change and cybercrime affect human rights and how they can use technology responsibly to promote sustainability and social justice,” Sogbandi stated.
Growth and Campaign Coordinator Jaih Kaikai highlighted that the training was designed to help participants apply advocacy approaches in combating drug abuse among young people. He reaffirmed Amnesty International’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives that promote environmental justice and digital responsibility.
Participants explored a wide range of topics, including: the impact of climate change on youths, students, and children, including those with physical challenges; solutions and mitigation practices for combating environmental degradation; key provisions of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022; and understanding the Cyber Security and Crime Act in Sierra Leone.
Building a Youth-Led Movement
The training concluded with calls for sustained collaboration among participants to extend the knowledge gained into their communities. Organizers expressed optimism that the initiative will strengthen youth advocacy and foster a new generation of leaders committed to human rights, environmental justice, and responsible digital engagement.