In The News

On Saturday, August 1st 2009, Rebuild Africa produced the 'first of its kind’ Youth Leadership Summit at the American Library in Monrovia, Liberia.

The goal of the summit was to help inspire Liberia’s youth to aspire to greater heights. This maiden conference featured a host of young Liberian and non-Liberian speakers, who have all graduated from abroad and who are now serving in various positions of leadership throughout Liberia.

The schedule of events for the conference included a panel of distinguished young Liberian speakers, multiple breakout sessions, and an informal networking opportunity that provided Liberia’s top youth leaders a prime opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of international experiences.

A unique feature of this one-day conference was the presence of dozens of current graduate students from prestigious American universities who are in Liberia to serve throughout the government. Many of these students gave presentations about their own experiences working in Liberia and how it compares to their previous careers.

“The more I think of how to revive Liberia, the more I am convinced that the answer lies in the way we are educating, training, and inspiring the young people of today to lead tomorrow. I hope that this interaction and exchange between US graduate and Liberian students will help create a spark in the way we all think about Liberia’s future,” said Bill Massaquoi, one of the organizers of the Youth Rising! Leadership Summit.

Produced by Rebuild Africa, the Youth Rising! Leadership Summit was generously supported by the Ministry of Youth & Sports, U.S. Embassy Education & Cultural Affairs Program, JSI President’s Young Professionals Program, and Exclusive Superstore.

The Youth Rising! Leadership Summit is the first in a series of future events designed to provide a forum for Liberia’s youth leaders to interact with the many experienced graduates from abroad who are serving in-country and helping to rebuild Liberia.