The Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), in collaboration with UNICEF, has concluded a three-day Grade School Ambassadorial and Internship Summit in Harbel, Margibi County, focusing on youth engagement in transitional justice and human rights education. The Summit, which also took place earlier in Monrovia and Kakata, Upper Margibi County, brought together students from public and private schools to learn about Liberia’s post-war justice efforts, including the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court.
Delivering the keynote address at the closing program, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC-L, emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure inclusivity in the country’s transitional justice process by involving young people in national conversations about peace, justice, and reconciliation. “The mandate, among other things, is to ensure that everyone is engaged, consulted, and heard in the process of establishing the courts,” Dr. Barbu stated. “That includes children — particularly those who were not part of the war but are affected by its aftermath, and those who were child soldiers or victims of the conflict.” He explained that the youth engagement process was developed by a Technical Working Group as an integral part of Liberia’s transitional justice roadmap, designed to make young people ambassadors of peace and accountability.
“We realized many Liberian children do not fully understand what transpired during the civil wars,” he added. “So, we made it part of our process to educate and empower them through school-based initiatives and discussions.” In his remarks, Dr. Amadou Cissé, UNICEF Liberia’s Deputy Country Representative, highlighted the importance of acknowledging Liberia’s painful history and its impact on future generations. He called on students to use their voices as agents of peace and advocates for justice. “The youth of Liberia are not just witnesses to history; they are the architects of the country’s peaceful future,” Dr. Cissé said. “You must learn about Liberia’s past, show compassion for those who suffered, and advocate for a justice system that protects the rights of every child.”
Dr. Cissé reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for Liberia’s transitional justice initiatives and praised OWECC-L’s efforts to promote civic education and inclusion. He noted that Liberia’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child underscores the importance of protecting children in all aspects of governance and justice. Speaking on behalf of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Mohammed El-dust Fahnbulleh commended OWECC-L and UNICEF for providing a platform for children’s voices in justice advocacy. He stressed the need for accountability and urged participants to engage their lawmakers on supporting the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court. “We must not allow resistance from policymakers to derail justice,” Fahnbulleh cautioned.
“I encourage you, the young people, to speak to your representatives and senators — tell them you support the court and want it to meet international standards of transparency and accountability.” He underscored that achieving justice for victims of Liberia’s civil wars requires collective action and continued advocacy at both community and national levels. Representing the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Cora Hare Konuwa, Deputy Minister for Administration, reminded students of the civil war’s devastating impact since 1989 and urged them to be part of the accountability process to prevent a recurrence. “Many of you were not born during the war, but its effects still shape your lives today,” she said.
“Understanding our history helps ensure that such tragedies never happen again.” Cllr. Konuwa reflected on how young people were used during the conflict because of their energy and influenceability and encouraged students to use that same strength for peacebuilding and civic responsibility. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the WECC process as a pathway to national healing and justice. The summit ended with cultural performances celebrating Liberia’s resilience and the youth’s role in promoting unity, peace, and justice.
The Grade School Ambassadorial and Internship Summit is part of OWECC-L’s nationwide outreach program designed to engage students in discussions on transitional justice, accountability, and peacebuilding. With UNICEF’s support, the initiative seeks to build a network of Youth Ambassadors for Justice and Peace to promote awareness and intergenerational dialogue on Liberia’s journey toward reconciliation.
Author: Cooper K. Sangar Jr.
