On June 4, 2011 , there was a joint United Nations Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC ) / Peacebuilding Comission (PBC ) Meeting at the UN to consider youth unemployment in Sierra Leone. We bring you a statement delivered at the meeting by the Deputy Permanent Representative For Legal Affairs, Ambassador Osman Keh Kamara
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OSMAN KEH KAMARA
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the President of the ECOSOC and H.E. Mr. Milos Kotorec and the Chairperson of the PBC, H.E. Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen for jointly organizing this meeting.
Let me also thank the panellist for their instructive presentations. In particular, I would like to thank Mr. Anthony Koroma for his comprehensive presentation on Sierra Leone’s experience in the area of youth unemployment and under-employment.
Excellencies, distinguished representatives, Sierra Leone has made significant democratic, peace and development gains since it was placed on the PBC’s agenda on 23 June 2006.
To date, the PBC has worked with the government, international and local partners to address the country’s peacebuilding priorities in the areas of youth employment and empowerment, good governance and the rule of law, energy sector development, and capacity building.
As indicated by Mr. Anthony Koroma in his presentation, Sierra Leone has a youthful population. The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the United Nations and development partners, have put in place the basic intuitional mechanism to address the issue of youth unemployment and under-employment.