The National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) in collaboration with International IDEA organized a Message Development Seminar at the Bank of Sierra Leone Complex in Kingtom, on Thursday 18th May, 2023.
This seminar brought together young people, women, civil society organizations, Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), trade union organizations, the security sector, etc., to discuss issues around participation of young people in the 2023 elections, as well as develop messages (audio, video, print) to address them. The discussion was informed by the Youth Political Participation survey commissioned by the Council, under the Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Project, a European Union funded intervention which is supervised/administered by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA). This project supports democratic institutions and civil society organizations in Sierra Leone to promote credible and peaceful 2023 elections, increase citizens knowledge and participation (especially women and young people), provide support to reform processes in the years following the elections, as well as sustain democratic gains made over the course of the project.
In his submissions, Mr. Kalilu Totangi NaCCED Chairman explained the purpose of project generally, and the survey and its relevance to the Council’s outreach and citizens education endeavours. As he went through the survey findings, participants identified the key issues that (according to the survey report) need to be addressed, including but not limited to the Proportional Representation system, promoting violence free election and addressing fake news. He thanked everyone for, in his words, “continued and sustained partnership”.
Participants were put into groups to develop audio, video, and print/text messages to address the key issues identified – improving knowledge on the PR system, electoral violence, fake news, and participation. Each group was led by a communication/media specialist to guide the discussions, and put together and present the messages. Dr. Isaac Massaquoi and Mr. Umaru Fofanah supported the Chairman to facilitate the sessions.
