News Categories (Tags: LIBERIA)
Can social enterprises help address some of the causes and consequences of conflict?
Read about one such investment in Liberty & Justice—Africa's first Fair Trade-certified clothing supplier that was recently highlighted on the GOOD Business blog. Liberty & Justice is the recipient of Humanity United's first Program-Related Investment, or PRI.
Cross-posted from the Council on Foundations blog, read about the early lessons learned by the Liberia Philanthropy Secretariat—the world’s only national government office dedicated to engaging private philanthropy.
A new model for donor-government collaboration in countries in transition, the Government of Liberia and private foundations—including the NoVo Foundation, Humanity United, the Daphne Foundation, and the McCall McBain Foundation—established the Philanthropy Secretariat in 2009.
As elections-related tensions mounted in the week leading up to the run-off presidential vote on Nov. 8th, so did increased attention from international media—exposing a need to help journalists new to the country’s politics to better understand the situation on the ground.
Following a violent protest just prior to the nation’s presidential run-off vote, Liberians reelected incumbent President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf with more than 90 percent of the vote after the opposition boycotted the poll.
Meanwhile, violence escalated in South Sudan following a cross-border bombing attack by the northern government in Khartoum.
"PBS NewsHour" special correspondent Kira Kay reports from Liberia with her third and final piece in a series from the country.
Kay is co-founder of the Bureau for Investigative Reporting (BIR), whose reporting from Liberia was funded in part by Humanity United and the Stanley Foundation. The last piece of the series to air on PBS focused on Liberia's natural resource management.
Last week, Liberia hosted its first national elections largely without incident. Yet this week is proving to be a more difficult test for the West African nation and its leaders as complications around the elections intensify.
Learn more about the latest developments and view our list of resources for Liberian election news.
On Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced its 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners, including two from Liberia--President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and peace activist Leymah Gbowee. Each were recognized for their “nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peacebuilding work.”
Liberia is in the midst of a profound social transformation. After decades of civil war, the country is now emerging as a beacon of hope and successful redevelopment in West Africa. Humanity United has supported Liberia’s reconstruction since 2007, engaging in efforts aimed at helping to reduce the likelihood of a return to mass violence and to help build a successful democratic state.
Humanity United congratulates President Sirleaf and Ms. Gbowee on their award.
Read a recent blog post from Investment Director Michael Kleinman about Humanity United’s conflict early warning strategy in Liberia here.
Last night, PBS "NewsHour" aired the first in a series of stories from Liberia by The Bureau for International Reporting (BIR)'s Kira Kay. The first piece focused on the country's upcoming presidential elections and its challenges maintaining democracy and stability after a debilitating civil war. Kay's next story will examine the civil war's toll on Liberians' mental health.
The BIR series from Liberia is supported, in part, by Humanity United and the Stanley Foundation.
Watch the PBS broadcast and read the transcript here.
The end of a civil war is no guarantee that peace will last. All too often, peace agreements simply mark a pause in the violence. This is particularly true in Africa’s oldest republic, Liberia. Recognizing the fragility of lasting peace—especially with presidential elections on the horizon—one key pillar of our approach in Liberia is focusing on conflict early warning systems.
Dance along with us to this catchy video from iLab Liberia, which is supported by Humanity United in partnership with Ushahidi Liberia.
