Youth Leader of the Year | Liberia
West African Citizens Awards 2026 — Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.
Leadership is not measured only by the positions people occupy, but by the opportunities they help create for others. For Chernor A. Diallo, youth leadership is reflected in the work of preparing young people to engage with public issues, understand international cooperation and develop the confidence to contribute to their communities.
As the founder of Model United Nations-Liberia (MUN-Liberia), Diallo is associated with an initiative that places diplomacy, policy discussion, critical thinking and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of youth development.
His nomination for Youth Leader of the Year at the West African Citizens Awards 2026, representing Liberia, recognises the importance of creating platforms where young people can learn, participate and prepare for leadership.
Creating a Platform for Young Voices
Model United Nations-Liberia provides opportunities for students and emerging leaders to explore international affairs through simulations of United Nations proceedings. Participants engage with questions involving governance, peace and security, human rights, climate action, education, gender equality and sustainable development.
The organisation describes its mission as promoting global citizenship education and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Its work connects learning with practical participation, encouraging young people to research complex issues, debate different perspectives, negotiate solutions and understand the responsibilities that accompany leadership.
Founded in 2020, MUN-Liberia has also developed a regional dimension through engagement with youth and Model United Nations initiatives beyond Liberia. This approach reflects the value of giving young West Africans opportunities to exchange ideas across borders and learn from different social and national experiences.
For young people preparing to enter public service, civil society, diplomacy or other leadership fields, these experiences can provide a valuable introduction to the processes through which ideas are discussed and collective decisions are developed.
From Discussion to Meaningful Participation
A central challenge in youth development is ensuring that young people are not merely invited to observe conversations about their future, but are equipped to contribute to them.
MUN-Liberia’s conference model addresses this challenge through structured debate, committee discussions, research and resolution-writing. These activities allow participants to practise public speaking, negotiation, analytical thinking and collaboration while examining issues that affect communities locally and internationally.
The organisation’s sixth edition conference, held in Monrovia in August 2026, brought together approximately 200 participants, including 150 young delegates. According to the United Nations in Liberia, delegates worked across six committees and adopted six resolutions following discussions on issues including climate change, gender equality, peace and security, education and reform of international institutions.
The conference demonstrated how youth-focused platforms can move beyond speeches and ceremonial participation to provide practical opportunities for young people to examine problems and formulate recommendations.
As founder of MUN-Liberia, Diallo is connected to the work of sustaining a platform through which these learning experiences can take place. The wider significance lies in the possibility that participants carry the skills, knowledge and confidence developed through such programmes into their schools, workplaces and communities.
Education as Another Dimension of Youth Empowerment
Diallo has also publicly described his involvement in establishing the Mohammed Alie Education Foundation with Mohamed A. Bah. In a fundraising account, he linked the initiative to his experience after graduating from the African Leadership Academy in South Africa in 2018.
The foundation’s stated purpose centres on expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities in Liberia. The account describes support for children and other learners who face barriers to education, alongside initiatives involving basic computer training and adult literacy.
These activities speak to a broader understanding of empowerment: leadership is not only about preparing individuals to take on influential positions, but also about widening access to the knowledge and skills people need to participate in society.
Educational access and youth leadership are closely connected. When young people can access learning opportunities, digital skills and spaces for intellectual development, they are better positioned to pursue further education, employment and community involvement.
The figures and programme descriptions in Diallo’s fundraising account reflect information reported at the time of publication; they should not be interpreted as independently verified current totals. Nevertheless, the account provides additional context for his stated interest in education and community development.
Connecting Liberia’s Young Leaders to a Wider Region
The work associated with MUN-Liberia also carries a regional dimension. West African countries share many development concerns, from access to quality education and employment to climate resilience, accountable institutions and meaningful youth participation.
Platforms that encourage young people to engage with these subjects can help build connections across national boundaries. Through collaborative conferences and diplomatic simulations, participants have opportunities to encounter perspectives beyond their immediate environments and consider how regional and global decisions affect their own communities.
This matters in a region where the next generation will need to navigate increasingly interconnected economic, social and environmental challenges. Young leaders require more than ambition; they need the ability to research, listen, negotiate, collaborate and translate ideas into practical contributions.
By building and supporting a youth-focused platform around these skills, Diallo’s work aligns with the wider objective of preparing young people to take an active role in shaping Liberia’s future.
Why His Nomination Matters
The Youth Leader of the Year category recognises the importance of leadership that creates opportunities for others to learn, participate and grow.
Chernor A. Diallo’s nomination draws attention to his association with youth diplomacy through MUN-Liberia and his reported involvement in educational initiatives. Together, these areas of work point to an approach to youth development that values both intellectual preparation and access to opportunity.
The long-term value of such initiatives is best understood not only through the platforms they establish, but also through the quality of participation they encourage and the opportunities they help make possible for young people.
As Liberia continues to invest in youth participation, education and sustainable development, initiatives that equip emerging leaders with practical skills and a wider understanding of civic responsibility have an important place in the national conversation.
His nomination offers an opportunity to recognise this contribution and bring greater attention to the role of youth-focused leadership platforms in Liberia.
Support Chernor A. Diallo
Chernor A. Diallo represents Liberia as a nominee for Youth Leader of the Year at the West African Citizens Awards 2026.
The edition carries the theme “Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.” It celebrates the work and contributions of West Africans across different fields, including individuals helping to create opportunities for others.
🗳️ Cast your vote: https://wafricawards.com.ng/official-public-voting/
📋 Read the voting procedures and criteria: https://wafricawards.com.ng/wafric-awards-2026-voting-procedures-and-criteria/
Public voting closes on November 15, 2026. Public votes contribute to the process, but do not alone determine the final winners; the final selection also considers nominees’ achievements, contributions and impact in accordance with the published criteria.
West African Citizens Awards 2026
Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.
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