PRESS RELEASE: FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8th May 2008
Liberians in Europe organize development confab
The
European Federation of
Liberian Associations
(EFLA) in collaboration
with the Institute for Administration and Civil Service Studies (Institut
de Préparation à l’Administration Générale, I.P.A.G) University of
Western Brittany, France is hosting a two-day conference in
Paris, France that will focus on providing practical recommendations
to the international community on effective reconstruction processes
for West African countries emerging from civil conflicts.
The conference scheduled
for 27- 28 June 2008 under the theme: “War-Torn West Africa Emerging
from Humanitarian Assistance to Political and Economical
Reconstruction” is expected to bring keynote speakers from USA ,
Europe and Africa . Over 200 delegates from Africa , US and across
Europe are expected to attend the conference.
Mr. Elvis G. Morris,
President of the Liberian Diaspora Federation (EFLA) said
“The two-day conference
will also keenly look at how to promote the image of Liberia in
Europe and create modality for EFLA to generate projects for
Liberians in Europe and Liberia .”
He added: ‘This Paris
conference crowns our previous conferences that were mainly
organised among Liberian European Diasporas with the objectives of
bringing Liberian organisations in the European Union together and
to better structure the Diaspora network. Out of these past
committed efforts, EFLA has produced 5 years development projects
for Liberia .”
The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA) is an
umbrella European Liberian organizations and associations
established in July 2003 in an effort to provide support to
Liberians in Europe and Liberia . EFLA is a legally registered
Belgian based federation comprising of a network of Liberian
Associations and organizations located in The Netherlands, France ,
Luxemburg , Germany , Sweden , Switzerland , Poland , Norway , The
United Kingdom and The Kingdom of Belgium.
E N D S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
John N. Brownell- Telephones: +44 7793884509 / +33 609044323/ +32
494207925
info@liberiansineur ope.org- or
liberiansineuope@ yaoo.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8th May 2008
Development confab
background
1. Introduction
This background is
published in addition to the attached Press Release dated
2. The Conference
The immense struggles faced
by the international and local NGO communities to create
co-ordination mechanisms and support services to improve the
humanitarian response in war-torn nations cannot be over emphasized.
3. Expected outcome
The conference is aimed at more West Africa Diasporas playing a pivotal role in rebuilding war ravaged West Africa . EFLA also believes that there is need to mobilize local populations afflicted by wars both at home and abroad to initiate critical dialogue and explore ideas on how best society can garner concerted efforts to begin addressing these intricate issues of aid and assistance in war-torn West Africa .
EFLA wants to see
opportunities created for youth to be more involved in
reconstruction and rebuilding; will also ensure cohesive
relationship among Diaspora West Africans; create sense of awareness
amongst West African institutions responsible for reconstruction and
development, and Academic institutions getting more recommendations
to conduct research and development on reconstruction of war-torn
West Africa are keys areas for consideration by the conference.
4. Speakers
-
Dr. Pierrick Le Jeune, Director Institute for
Administration and Civil Service Studies (I.P.A.).
-
H.E. Wesley M. Johnson (Former Vice President
of the Republic of Liberia and Present Ambassador of Liberia to
the United Kingdom ).
Topic: Role of the Diaspora in post conflict Development
and Reconstruction
-
Hon. Dr. Richard V. Tolbert, Chairman,
National Investment Commission of Liberia
Topic: Post War Investment Opportunities and Challenges
-
Mr. Thomas Gonnet, Director of Operations, ACF
Paris )
Topic: The role of NGO’s in the Reconstruction Process
-
Dr. Sayrulwa Somah, Executive Director,
Liberia History Education and Development United State of
America )
Topic: Education and Gender as Catalyst to Post Conflict
Development
5. Plenary sessions
The day of the conference
will mainly be of critical discourse, forum, and information
exchange of war-torn West Africa transition from dependence on
humanitarian assistance to in(ter)dependence and sustainability.
Topics will include: ‘Role of Diaspora in post conflict development
and reconstruction; ‘Youth Involvement in leadership, economic,
social and political reconstruction;’ ‘The role of NGO’s in the
reconstruction process’ and ‘Gender and education as catalyst to
cost conflict development’.
6. Quotes
Mr. Elvis G. Morris,
President of the Liberia Diaspora Federation (EFLA said “the Paris
Conference will be a forum to introduce EFLA to the international
community and explain its aims and objectives. “We also want
to create relation with other international actors to help define
ways and means of promoting our development ideals or plan for
Liberia . “ He concluded that “we want to share our 5 years plans
with the international community for their technical and financial
supports.”
The European Federation of Liberian Associations (EFLA)
Presents:
War-Torn
West Africa:
Emerging from Humanitarian Assistance to Political and Economical
Reconstruction
You are cordially invited to participate
to the above conference
27-28 June 2008
Venue: USIC : 18, rue de Varenne - 75007 Paris , France
Thanks and please confirm your
participation before the 10 May the latest.