About Us

About Us

The West African Youth Network (WAYN) has been actively working over the last few years to enhance the participation of young people in issues relating to peace building, conflict resolution, governance, accountability, youth development and human rights in West Africa.  It was set up in March 2001.

The creation of the organization was in direct response to the rise in violent activities and the continuous marginalization and exploitation of young people in West Africa.  It grew from the felt need to effectively mobilize the mass participation of young people to get off their fence and work constructively for the building of a culture of peace, human rights, governance and transparency in West Africa

Since its inception in 2001, WAYN has continued to initiate and implement a number of projects in line with its Mission Statement. From a modest beginning in March 2001, the organization has grown over the years and has captivated the attention of governments, regional organizations, civil society groups, the media and the donor community.  It has extended its membership from five to thirteen countries and has implemented a number of programmes in line with its objectives.

Programme Objectives

The Programme objectives of WAYN are to mobilize youths across the sub-region at the national and regional levels to participate in all spheres of national and regional development. The activities seek the holistic involvement of young people as key actors in democratic processes and social transformation in West Africa.

The strategy the programme pursues in order to realize these objectives is to strengthen the capacities of youth leaders and to advocate and lobby to influence policies promoting and mainstreaming youth participation in national and regional processes.

Overall Goals and Objectives

• To empower young people to serve as an effective catalysts for social transformation in West Africa.
• To help promote a culture of peace, human rights, governance and open societies.
• To promote the participation of young people in decisions that affects their future.
• To serve as a public policy voice and advocacy mechanism on behalf of young people and influence policies promoting and mainstreaming youth participation in national and regional agenda .  
• To serve as an umbrella organization of youth groups in West Africa.

Programme Strategies

Past Projects

2007:

2^nd Session, MRU Youth Parliament

In August 2007, WAYN-Liberia collaborated with the MRU Youth Parliament to stage the second session of the MRU Youth Parliament in Monrovia, Liberia.  The second session brought together members of the Parliament and was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development.

2^nd Mano River Union Youth Peace Caravan

In January, about thirty young people from Liberia, Guinea and Sera Leone boarded a big green bus to commence the 2^nd Mano River Union Peace Caravan. The caravan was sponsored by the Royal Dutch Embassy in Senegal and traveled through towns and villages in the three countries

Sub Regional Training Seminar on International Humanitarian Law

In April 2007, WAYN organized a three day sub regional seminar on human rights and International Humanitarian Law at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.  The seminar brought together about 30 youth leaders from Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast

National Youth Parliamentary Forum, Dakar, Senegal

On May 23, 2007, the Senegalese Chapter of WAYN organized a one day National Youth Parliamentary Forum in Dakar, Senegal.  The initiative was sponsored by The Canadian International Development Agency through the Parliamentary Center and brought together youth leaders and representatives of the Senegalese National Parliament. It was a direct follow up to the West African Youth Parliamentary Forum on NEPAD that was held in Freetown in April 2005.

2006: 

National Youth Parliamentary Forum, Abuja, Nigeria

On 30 November 2006, the Nigerian Chapter of WAYN organized a one day National Youth Parliamentary Forum in Abuja, Nigeria.  The initiative was sponsored by The Canadian International Development Agency through the Parliamentary Center and brought together youth leaders and representatives of the Nigerian National Parliament. It was a direct follow up to the West African Youth Parliamentary Forum on NEPAD that was held in Freetown in April 2005.

WEST AFRICAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

In April 2006, WAYN convened a three week Youth Leadership Training Institute in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The initiative was sponsored by the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA).  The training brought together about 40 youth leaders from 13 West Africa countries and was coordinated by the Center of Peace Studies in Sierra Leone.  It provided innovative training in the area of Project Management, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Rights, Leadership and Governance.

2005:

West African Youth Parliamentary Forum on NEPAD 

In April 2005, WAYN organized the first ever gathering of youth leaders and National Parliamentarians in West Africa.  The West African Youth Parliamentary Forum on NEPAD brought together ten MPs and 30 youth leaders from 13 countries in the region and was held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The forum was sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency, through The Parliamentary Centre of Canada.

2004:

1^st Session Mano River Union Youth Parliament and Peace Caravan

The Mano River Union youth Parliament was initiated in August 2003 by WAYN in Collaboration with the United Network of Young Peace builders Sierra Leone Network and OSIWA. The first parliamentary session of the MRU youth parliament was held in November 2004 in Conakry straight after the MRU Peace Caravan. The first Peace Caravan was a remarkable attempt by young people from the three neigbouring countries to promote peace and reconciliation in the region.

- Report 2003|Booklet -

Youth Tranforming Conflict

In April 2004, WAYN collaborated with the United Network of Young Peace builders (The Netherlands), United Network of Young Peace builders of Sierra Leone and the Network University of The Netherlands to organize and host a Youth Transforming Conflict seminar for young people from around Africa. The event which was held in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 18-29 April brought together more than forty youth leaders from West, Central, East Africa and the Great Lakes region. It was preceded by a two week on line training programme. The Project directly targets young people actively involved in peace building activities in West Africa and youth from other conflict torn regions. More information and the report of this training conference can be found at the website of United Network of Young Peace builders: www.unoy.org 

2003:

Mano River Union Youth training Seminar

From July 27- August 3 2003 WAYN in Collaboration with the United Network of Young Peace builders Sierra Leone Network organized the �Mano River Union Youth Training Seminar on Peace-Building, Conflict Resolution and Children�s Rights� funded by the Open Society Initiative of West Africa. This Training seminar culminated into the formation of the MRU Youth Parliament, which has now become a youth catalyst for peace in the sub-region (report).

2001:

West African Youth Summit for Peace

In November 2001, WAYN hosted a Regional Youth Summit for Peace in Monrovia, Liberia under the theme �Empowering young people for the building of a culture of peace in West Africa�. The Summit, which brought together youth representatives from seven West African countries drew up the necessary strategies to ensure the practical participation of young people in all decisions that affect their future. The participants called for the setting up of a Regional Youth Secretariat in Monrovia to serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment.  

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 Staff and Focal Points

The Regional Secretariat of WAYN is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A small Management team is responsible for formulating and implementing its programme agenda. The team includes a Regional Programme Director, a Financial Officer, an Administrative Officer a Project Officer and Programme Assistants. An Advisory Board, comprising National Focal Points, help to oversee the work of the Management Team. 

The organization presently maintains Focal Points in 12 countries in the sub-region.  These focal points are basically responsible to coordinate the activities of WAYN in their respective countries and maintain contacts with youth groups that share the vision of WAYN. They also coordinate programmes at the national level.

Funding

WAYN is financed on a project basis.  Over the last five years, WAYN has been funded by a number of funding agencies.  The organization has received funding from the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA), Royal Netherlands Embassy, Senegal, Canadian International Development Agency, the Alert Funds for Youth Activities (The Netherlands) and the Outreach Section of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

Partners/ Affiliates 

Open Society Initiative of West Africa

West African Civil Society Forum

Youth Action International

African Youth Parliament

Mano River Union Youth Parliament

The Parliamentary Center, Canada

Alert Funds for Youth Activities, the Netherlands

Center for the Coordination of Yo0uth Activities

African Youth Parliament

PEACELINKS

Creating Local Connection/Taking It Global

Youth Crime Watch