THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF LIBERIAN ASSOCIATIONS


EFLA Conference in France will be held on 27th - 28th June, 2008!

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
1st May 2008 headed “Liberians in Europe organize development conference”. The background is to provide members of the press additional information on EFLA’s planned conference.

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.
The European Federation of Liberian Associations being cognizant of these problems find it imperative to host a conference to dialogue and provide recommendations as to what criteria should be set for West African countries as they transform from humanitarian assistance to political and economic reconstruction.

The two-day conference is co-hosted by Institute for Administration and Civil Service Studies (Institut de Préparation à l’Administration Générale , I.P.A.G), University of Western Brittany .

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.

 

 

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