|
||||||
Members
Supporters
University Chapters
Initiatives
Events
Services
Resources
In the Media
FAQ
Join Us
Contact Us
Donate
Volunteer
Internships
International Mediation Articles
|
The Liberian Initiative The Liberian Initiative is a multi-pronged project involving the following key elements:
PROGRAMS & OBJECTIVES Buduburam Conflict Resolution Program The implementation of community and peer mediation services for Liberian refugees at the Buduburam Settlement in Ghana Child Soldier Rehabilitation and Reintegration Project MBB is partnering with the Child Solider Reintegration Fund(CSRF) to provide educational/vocational skills, trauma care, and mentoring and micro-enterprise for former child soldiers currently residing in the Buduburam Settlement refugee camp in Ghana. The first cohort of 85 students started vocational training in February 2008 via funding by CSRF. One of the primary goals is to form construction entities and crews to return to Liberia and engage in reconstruction activities. Rule of Law in Liberia MBB in cooperation with the ABA Rule of Law, Africa Division-Liberia, can work with the formal legal system and customary/traditional law to build capacity. There is also the prospect of partnering with AFELL (Association of Female Lawyers in Liberia) for training for their paralegals to mediate or provide technical assistance in the counties, especially with those who approach their clinic for assistance with child support and domestic violence cases. There are several potential programs involving the Arthur Grimes School of Law in Monrovia, including providing laptops or other equipment, books and material in digital format, and sister-relationships with USA law schools and students. Tribal Leaders and Elders Program The Population Caring Center (www.populationcaring.org), an established NGO registered in Ghana focusing on Liberian refugees at Buduburam Settlement, has requested MBB “train the trainers” programs and technical support to impart conflict resolution and mitigation skills to community based peace builders. Land Dispute Resolution Program MBB will work with PCO and other NGOs to work with tribal leaders, community leaders and Liberian government officials to assist in the creation of ADR systems to resolve post-conflict land disputes at the village level. Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission Collaboration MBB is in contact with the Commissioners and Minnesota Advocates (www.mnadvocates.org) about partnering with them in the restoration phase of their work. This will begin upon conclusion of the public hearing portion for the Commission’s work. The MBB focus will be on a community based victim-offender program, targeted to individual victims and perpetrators in conjunction with the Tribal Leaders Program. Capacity-building and Empowerment of Women MBB will facilitate cooperation between civil society organizations that are assisting women in developing fair trade micro-enterprises so they can participate in the global economy and attain self-sufficiency and empowerment. This can work in Monrovia, in refugee camps, and in towns and villages. Collaborative Projects MBB will support people-to-people collaboration. This may include convening a consortium of entities to expand existing relationships between the State of Maryland and Maryland County, Liberia; partnering with other NGOs, such as Engineers Without Borders, to work in an integrative, and focused manner on reconstruction and capacity-building initiatives etc. An additional example is the establishment of MBB student chapters that provide technical assistance to the Arthur Grimes Law School and create email and other relationships with the students in Monrovia. All this involves convening and facilitating community-to-community relationships. Implementation Model The MBB approach is to act as facilitators and conveners to provide linkages between humanitarian actors, government and civil society organizations. We collaborate with local NGOs and international aid organizations in development and implementation. MBB designs and implements programs with knowledge of the historical context and ensures current cultural relevance. The Project Assessment Panel for the Liberian Initiative includes the following volunteers: Sandi Dimola Esq, Dr. Harriet Nettles, Robert A. Creo, Ingrid Lundberg Esq. and Prabha Sankaranarayan, with assistance provided by MBB colleagues Penelope Bisset, Tammy Adamah Craig, Alan Gross and Aruna Raman. This panel has created a comprehensive report on all aspects of the initiative which includes a history of Liberia and the conflicts; a description of its population and current developments; a review and summary of similar and related initiatives in Liberia and other relevant countries; a description of the legal framework and cultural issues.
Teams are created of MBB volunteers who make a commitment for approximately 3 years (evaluating as we proceed) so that the same Core Team begins and end the initiative maintaining continuity over the life of the initiative. Depending on the number and requirements of each project component, an anticipated Core Team of six to twelve volunteers will form. Other volunteers with technical expertise will be included in Trip Teams led by a Core Team member. The teams will be diverse based on age, gender, credentials, expertise and experience. The following is an example of an implementation plan: Volunteers travel in teams of two or more at a time over the course of the project. Each team member commits to two weeks per year in-country allowing for a team to be present on site with frequency and regularity. The Core Team maintains electronic communication with partners and volunteers i.e. email reports; periodic video-conferences; internet and telephone communication. All MBB projects are subject to extensive assessment, review, monitoring and evaluation processes according to established Protocols which are available on our website. The MBB board of directors has ultimately responsibility for any MBB initiative. MBB Next Steps March, 2008 implementation evaluation trip by Robert Creo to Ghana and Liberia March, 2008 Trip to Ghana by Alan Gross, Founding Member, to provide training to Buduburam Mediation Project (BUMP), Population Caring Organization ( PCO) Tribal Leaders Conflict Resolution Program, and meet with University of Ghana-Legon to explore partnership for implementation of trauma healing intervention and training at the SMA technical School. Defining the scope of each project component Creation of the full Project Implementation Panel (PIP), a Project Evaluation Panel (PEP) identifying and including appropriate stakeholders, and establishment of core teams. Formalizing all relationships with collaborators and partners Funding and implementation of specific programs in the field. Funding MBB is a convener and facilitator and not a foundation making grants. MBB facilitates specific projects and programs through funding from foundations, grants, government sources, individual investors and social entrepreneurs. For example Pennsylvania law firms and individuals donated funds for the December 2007 training program at the Buduburam settlement. Funding needs include travel expenses for MBB volunteers and training costs (including training room, materials, meals, and local transportation); Infrastructure support: salaries, meals, and transportation for local coordinators and participants. MBB Capabilities MBB membership has expertise in all aspects of conflict resolution, reconciliation, forgiveness and restorative justice processes. Many members are renowned in the field of mediation and conflict resolution, recognized internationally as pioneers and leaders. Members have assessed, designed and implemented programs and engaged in training and capacity building across the globe including in developing and post conflict countries. The membership includes authors, trainers, researchers, academicians and practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds and affiliations; and most importantly members are innovative practitioners in a multitude of settings with enormous experience in creating sustainable and self sufficient conflict resolution programs across the globe. Profiles of MBB members may be found at www.mbbmembers.org
Mediators Beyond Borders Contacts for the Liberian Initiative
Robert A. Creo, Secretary-Treasurer, MBB, 1807 Jancey Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-1065 Tel: 412.441.1151 Prabha Sankaranarayan, MBB, Project Assessment Panel, Pittsburgh, PA
Cooperation with the Child Soldier Restorative Initiative
Penelope Bissett, VECSAOL has an account with one of the hospitals at the camp to pay for some of the child soldiers' medical expenses; however, there are no food assistance programs for them. VECSAOL has also begun developing a library for its members to utilize, in order to advance their skills and knowledge and has been given donations which assist in providing educational opportunities to their members, scholarships, in order to complete their schooling and to give those professional skills and vocational training. There are many things that still need to be done, and many more services that could be provided for this disadvantaged population. Initially, CSI will conduct fundraising efforts to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers. Annual costs for to provide food, medical care, and education for one former child soldier is (US) $365.00. Once the physical and emotional needs of this group are attended to, MBB will work with VECSAOL to provide restorative justice initiatives on the ground in
|
|||||
