Tripoli: 32 young men and women from central and western Libya participated in the second session of the workshop of UNSMIL’s YouEngage to discuss how youth can contribute to stability in Libya.
According to Libyan News Agency, the participants highlighted political fragmentation as a key factor driving the ongoing violence and insecurity in their communities. They supported local NGOs in awareness-raising and peace advocacy efforts, established public-private partnerships to improve the national economy and create more jobs and investment opportunities for youth, and supported startups and accelerated entrepreneurship projects across the country for sustainable peace and security.
The young Libyans also stressed the importance of strengthening accountability, transparency, and inclusive policies. They advocated for appointing officials based on competence, not tribal backgrounds, and encouraged media outlets to reduce tension and promote peace by limiting misinformation and divisive rhetoric. They called for a comprehensive national plan for disarmament, reintegrating militants through economic and social incentives, and preventing recruitment through training programs and job opportunities for youth.
The group emphasized the need to implement transitional justice, achieve national reconciliation, and empower all Libyan cultural components, women, youth, and people with disabilities to ensure their effective participation.
UNSMIL’s YouEngage program aims to engage 1,000 young Libyan men and women by the end of May 2025. The initiative seeks to gather their ideas and recommendations on various subjects to inform UNSMIL’s youth-oriented strategies, promote inclusion, and amplify the voices of those who are traditionally excluded.