Musa Ansumana Soko's Page

Name

Musa Ansumana Soko

How did You find out about this Network/Resource?

Friend

Please share a short bio for yourself. This should be no more than 3-4 short paragraphs.

As a young and dynamic young leader Musa Ansumana Soko is a real agitator of peace in his home country of Sierra Leone. As a young man that witnessed war and child soldering on his door step in the Kailahun District (his home town ), he never allowed the sad chapter of war to overcome his future and the role he envisioned playing to emancipate his peers and communities they live. Musa persistently has chosen to pursue actions that promoted the ideals of peace and tolerance. His efforts have changed many lives even after the war, and his innovative rehabilitation techniques have caught the attention of the Sierra Leonean and global community.

In the early years of 2002, when an end to the Sierra Leonean war was officially declared, Musa founded the Youth Partnership for Peace and Development after volunteering with the NGO, Peacelinks Sierra Leone as President of the Young Generation., He continued developing innovative and inspiring post-conflict approached and projects that help young people to cope with the effects of war through overcoming societal reconciliation with former child/youth combatants in conflict and conflict-free zones.

Today, his Sustainable Youth Livelihood and Empowerment (StYLE) Program is one of the most effective projects that was brought to UN-HABITAT’s attention for support as a way of consolidating the country’s hard-earned peace through meaningful engagement of not only ex-combatants, but other young victims as well.

As Executive Coordinator of the Youth Partnership for Peace and Development, Musa manages several programs that look to tackle the issues of gender-based and domestic violence within some Sierra Leonean communities as a way of meeting post-war challenges. The programs aim to raise community awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence and its effects; train community leaders in conflict resolution and mitigation; incorporate these topics into educational curriculum; and provide clarity to the laws on domestic and gender-based violence to women. Musa has seven years of experience and is interested in expanding his organization’s livelihoods program to women in order to increase their independence and economic freedom.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you have direct and significant expertise

Sierra Leone, United States of America, Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Social Enterpreneur and Development Activist

What are your main skills/expertise?

Special Education Trainer
Youth Development
Gender and Women's Rights
Campaign Strategist
Policy Advocacy
Post-conflict Transitional programming

What are Your expertise areas/sectors when it comes to youth

DDR, Peacebuilding, Education, Gender, Humanitarian Relief, ICT, Democracy, Livelihoods, Leadership

What are Your primary Skills, to compliment Your areas/sectors

Advocacy, Capacity Building, Curriculum Development, Grant Writing, Program Management, Program Administration, Program Design, Public Relations, Research, Training