Maseru — Ongoing challenges facing young people require collaboration among different stakeholders to help them achieve their goals, as they are future leaders of Lesotho.

This was said by Lesotho Catholic Youth Movement (LCYM)Chairman, Mr. Makalang Mokere, during the youth summit held in Maseru on Saturday, with the objective  to inspire and equip young people with financial, entrepreneurial and other life skills, in commemoration of International Youth Day.

He said young people continue to be affected by mental health, drug abuse and criminal activities due to challenges such as high unemployment rate,  stressing the need to assist youth realise their dreams and find solutions to their own problems.

“The facilitators shared their personal experiences, including the difficulties they faced before achieving their goals, so as to motivate young people,” he added.

One of the participants, Mr. Liau Moisa, expressed gratitude over the summit, saying many young people lack a strong sense of identity and consequently become easily influenced by social media.

He said the summit would therefore help them build confidence despite challenges they face, enabling them to make informed decisions that could help them achieve their goals.

Meanwhile, in his statement delivered earlier in commemoration of international youth day, the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Mr Pitso Lesaoana encouraged the youth to use technology not only for leisure but as a tool to establish businesses, access education, find markets and develop solutions to challenges facing the public.
He also emphasised the need for collaboration of different stakeholders in investing in youth through education, business development, technology and sports, among others.

International Youth Day is commemorated annually on August 12 with the objective to recognise the importance of youth engagement in sustainable development, education, employment, climate action, digital inclusion, and mental well-being amongst others.

Image by UNESCO