The Liberia National Students’ Union (LINSU) has launched an initiative that will empower young people to use social media to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
It is LINSU’s latest youth peacebuilding initiative on countering misinformation and disinformation and would train young people in human rights, peacebuilding, and gender advocacy through the use of technology to spread messages on the effect of misinformation and disinformation on Liberia.
“LINSU, as a primary body for students’ activities, has been authorized to conduct training in human rights and peace-building gender advocates through technology to stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation in Liberia”, Alvin Faika, Jr., Project Director of LINSU, stated. He added, “After this training, you will be able to counter some of this information through social media or other social networks”.
Mr. Falika disclosed that LINSU has procured several computers to setup a digital library that would aid the organization to achieve its goals while at the same time enhancing the digital knowledge of students across various high schools in the country. “We have observed that most of our schools are still living in an analogue era, which is important in the 21st century to enhance technology”, he added.
The LINSU Project Director stated that, as part of the peacebuilding initiative, the institution (LINSU), will launch a youth-led radio program that would focus on propagating messages of peace and civil engagement.
For his part, LINSU’s Secretary General, Darius Toweh, acknowledged the critical role technology plays in peacebuilding and development. He added that the youth digital peacebuilding project will further ensure that young people are provided the right space to air their views on issues affecting them and society, adding, “We are confident that it will inspire many (young people) to advocate for peace and justice in our communities and beyond, especially as the students and young people of Liberia are poised to acquire basic knowledge and skills in peace and conflict mitigation and solution as well as learning, applying and advocating for their inherent rights as students as provided for in Many international instruments to include the United Nations (UN) Declaration of Human Rights and the 1986 constitution of Liberia”,
Mr. Toweh encouraged young people to take advantage of the project to advance their knowledge on the danger misinformation and disinformation to Liberia’s peace and security. “Let us remember that peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is about creating the space for dialogue, mutual respect, and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Through technology, we can build those spaces, reaching beyond geographical boundaries, and understand one another better as one people”, Toweh added.
The Youth Peacebuilding project was launched on November 15, 2024, at the Matilda Newport School in Monrovia under the theme “Digital Bridge: Enhancing Peacebuilding and Advocacy Through Technology”.
