Police and Youth Dialogue Session Caritas engage Police and Youth Dialogue on Electoral Process and Non-Violence
Caritas Freetown, with support from Trocaire, AGIAMONDO, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and Ziviler Friendensdienst Civil Peace Service celebrates International Day of Peace 2022. As we celebrate the International Day of Peace with theme: “Stop Election Violence, Build Peace”, Caritas Freetown, with support from Trocaire, AGIAMONDO, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and Ziviler Friendensdienst Civil Peace Service, has on the 20th September, 2022 organized a one- day Police and Youth Dialogue Session, targeting personnel of the Sierra Leone Police, Youth Affairs, Political Parties Representative, Bike Riders and Journalist. The event took place at Kondi Hall, Yam’s Farm in the Western Rural District. The relationship between Police Officers and Youths have been strained throughout the years. But this was how many young people in Sierra Leone felt when the relationship between police and the youth were at their lowest point, especially during the August 10 accident that took place in some part of the country which led to the destruction of properties and loss of innocent lives. As the appeals from young people to intervene grew, the consortium of five NGOs worked to broker a truce between young people and the police by celebrating the International Day of Peace 2022 with a one-day dialogue between the Police and youths in Sierra Leone. Young people were saying they were always suspects. They are often harassed by the police, arrested and being rounded up and put behind bars when reporting crime, instead of being listened to. Stories like these were the catalyst for change. A baseline study in the past years had showed that police harassment of young people, between 18 and 35, was one of the drivers for violent extremism in the country based on their approach. Mohamed Turay, Chairman of the Bike Riders Association East said one of the causes of conflict between the parties is that the Police Officers see the Youths as a threat, emphasizing that as riders, they suffer too much harassment from the Police. He further stated that “Young people were being rounded up from their bikes, which has led to so many accidents or just for being in groups in their community.”
Caritas Freetown has been Awarded the Best Non-Governmental Organization For 2022
The Sierra Leadership Award is a yearly award given to NGOs, Ministries, Agencies, Business partners, and across Sierra Leone. CARITA FREETOWN, as one of the leading organizations with charity work across the country, has always been nominated for such awards; and the Executive Director as well. For the past three consecutive years, Caritas Freetown has awarded such accolades to humanity work in Freetown and across the country. Last year award was organized at the Radisson Blu hotel, where awardees were present including representatives from Caritas Freetown. At the presentations of awards, Caritas emerged as the leading NGO working towards humanitarian services and outstanding commitment and contribution to the social and economic development of Sierra Leone. Also, in the NGOs category, the best executive award for NGOs, was given to Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh for his Lead-ership and outstanding performance over the years and commitment to excellence and socioeconomic growth, and human development in Sierra Leone.