UNOY Global Network Members

YLSL was formed in 2003 by some dynamic and patriotic Sierra Leonean young people, consisting of school head prefects, university student union presidents, heads of youth groups and civil society organizations, and a few other young dedicated Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora particularly in the UK, Holland, and USA, but it was the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone who officially launched the organization on July 29th 2005 at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown.

YLSL was formed mainly to promote the growing recognition of the importance of young people participation in decision-making, as successful efforts to engage young people have led to better policy formulation, implementation and evaluation in post war Sierra Leone.

And to this end promote commitment and understanding of human rights and democracy, attain a corrupt free, democratic, economically viable, culturally minded, socially oriented, development focused, enlighten people, good governance, politically stabled, peaceful, and to establish firm leadership foundation in Sierra Leone.

YLSL has successfully accomplished several projects directed towards youth development, in addition to the successful extension of the organization to branches in the United Kingdom, Holland, and in the United States of America.

YLSL's key objectives

Strengthening the capacity of young people to be able to participate in leadership roles, decision-making processes, peace and conflict transformation in their communities, region and beyond.
Establishing chapters and networks of YLSL across the world to culminate in to a global network of Young Leaders of Sierra Leone providing a meeting point for over hundreds of Sierra Leonean youth.
Lobbying the government and the International Community, through lobby and advocacy for inclusion of youth matters at national as well as internal programmes and policies.
Engaging in research and findings to equipped young people with relevant information on national and global matters. Innovating and implementing programs and strategies aimed at promoting young peoples' participation, development, and protection; committed to establishing links and spreading information on national and international matters relative to young people.

How YLSL keeps its mandate

The Mandate of YLSL stands unchanged in that to canvassing passion, energy, resource, and idea of Sierra Leoneans towards nation Building. As part of YLSL's mandate is to raising awareness and knowledge in the midst of more youth in Sierra Leone to gradually become aware of resources outside their communities and of opportunities to share and reinforce each other's work.

YLSL kept its mandate by creating a traditional channel of cooperation and exchange of information with the national government, NGOs, and other decision-makers as well as working with a broad range of the youth population, both those organized through formal youth organizations and those who are not including young people who face obstacles, such as cultural norms that flavor hierarchical relationships between generations, economic circumstances that prevent them from participating in any activity and lack of access to information and necessary skills.

YLSL's focus

Leadership
Education
Peace Education and Conflict Resolution
Information Technology
Health / HIV and AIDS Pandemic
Good Governance
Human Rights
Gender Campaign
Agriculture and Environmental Protection
Business Enterprise
Culture, Nationalism, and Globalization
Children's Rights
Youth participation in decision making, electioneering, and political processes.

YLSL

Young Leaders - Sierra Leone