YP-Network Africa – Youth Network for Positive Change -Younetpo

About

West Africa Young Parliamentarians Network (WAYPA); was establish in 2023 as one of the key outcomes of the 6th edition of the Annual Youth Education and Leadership Conference which was held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, Republic of Liberia and was organized by Youth Network for Positive Change – YOUNETPO; a youth led national civil society organization in Liberia. WAYPA mission is to empower and unite young parliamentarians from across the West African sub-region to effectively engage, collaborate and advocate at national, regional and continental levels for policies and laws adaptation and implementation in the interests of the youth. WAYPA vision is to advocate and ensure that the rightful policies and laws are in place in the interest of young people and that there is a significant increase in youth participation in decision making processes at all levels.

Objectives

• To advocates for youth policies and programs
• To advocate for active youth participation at local, national, regional and continental levels 
• To promote Networking, Partnership amongst young parliamentarians in West Africa
• To provide mentorship and coaching to young people
• Advance Peace building and social cohesion efforts

Our Agenda

• Leadership and Capacity Development
WAYPA advance leadership and development through mentorship and coaching through its flagship program called “The Next Leaders”. This program create a space for young leaders most importantly those seeking elected position or critical managerial roles in business to be mentor, coach and empower to achieve their aspirations.

• Policy Reform and Advocacy
WAYPA aim to advance and advocate for policies, law and reforms around critical issues in Health, Education, Democracy/Governance and Climate Change.

• Health

WAYPA seek to advance advocacy round sexual reproductive health and rights including ending harmful traditional practices. This also include advocating for reforms and the implementation polices and laws at national, sub-regional and continental levels. The Network Advocate for increase predictable flexible and long-term financing for health especially for pandemic preparedness and response (PPR).

• Education

WAYPA work focus on advocate for increase predictable flexible and long-term financing for education and advocate for adaptation of holistic, integrated and multi-sectorial approaches to the implementation of the Safe School protocols and frameworks among others.

• Democracy and Governance

WAYPA Advocate for the implementation of existing laws, policies at national, sub-regional and continental levels. WAYPA advocate is aim at promoting accountability and transparency at all levels. This also include advocating for youth political participation, representation in political and decision making processes at all levels. Another aspect of WAYPA work is to promote peace building including advocating for the peaceful political transition.

• Partnership
WAYPA advocate for regional integration and cooperation with in the West Africa Region. This include advocating free trade, harmonizing customs policies, and promoting the development of common infrastructure. WAYPA also focus on promoting collaboration amongst young MPs, parliaments within the sub-regional including ECOWAS, Mano River Union Parliament among others and promote youth exchange in areas such as culture, sports and entertainment and tourism.