Realizing the importance of Peace and national development as one of the steps to attain the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDG’s) on Peace and Security, the Movement for youth and Children’s Rights organization (MYCRO) thought it fit to establish the youth and the Police (YTP project) to help build the Sierra Leone we want, to create a deeper connection within communities and the Police force for peace and development.
The rule of Law and order in any country must be upheld and respected, this is the work of the Police. Also, for these Laws to uphold and respected, citizens especially the youth should be inclusive, educated, informed, and partner in making such rules be grounded and sustainable within the country.
Over the past years, we have experience fragile relationships between Law enforcement and the youth of Sierra Leone. This is an unfortunate experienced, a strong sign of national disunity and disconnection. Young people should be actors that help to maintain Law and order of any nation.
In our recent nonviolent community youth outreach to Tombo, Waterloo, Lungi, and Makeni, we had the opportunity to talk with young people on various national issues – one of which is Peace, Social justice, youth employment, and personal development. The platform provides a unique space to these youth, who shared with us their hope, fears, and challenges, ranging from their relationship with the Police, the challenge of personal development and unemployment. From this collective and inclusive shared ideas and feelings, we agreed to develop an interconnection between the youth and the Police – to work together to rebrand the policing, help to educate the youth about the Laws of the Land and its consequences when found guilty and national development.
