Project Description:

The regional reconciliation consultations and the national reconciliation conference seek to harness peace and reconciliation in Liberia by providing the opportunity and space in which Liberians can discuss reconciliation and provide  further understanding of the four policy issues (Reconciliation, Amnesty, Reparation, , and Prosecution) of the TRC.

The project focuses on two key activities:

(1) Three Regional reconciliation consultations. The consultations will be for five-days in each region involving five counties. Region I (Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, Sinoe in Grand Gedeh; Region II (Grand Bassa, River Cess, Nimba, Lofa will meet in Bong County. Region III (Gbarpolu, Bomi, Cape Mount and Margibi will meet in Montserrado. A total of 200 key stakeholders (13 representatives from each county) are expected to attend the regional consultations.

(2) The National Reconciliation Conference. This activity will bring together 200 nationals from the 15 Counties and 50 persons from the Diaspora and other partners to participate in the national Conference. The Conference will last for five days.

Each of the 15 counties will be represented by 13 persons and each county will make formal presentations of county specific issues and recommendations at the National Conference. The national Conference will be held in Monrovia.

It is expected that these consultations and the national conference will help Liberians explore and experience a range of motivations, values and best practices in reconciliation and peace-building initiatives.

Peacebuilding Impact:

To provide opportunity for local Liberian populace to actively participate in harnessing the TRC recommendations in relation to the four policy issues of Reconciliation, Amnesty, Reparation, prosecution; To facilitate a forum for victims and perpetrators mediation in the tree regions; To provide forum for dialogues among Liberian and partners on the TRC’s findings and recommendations; and

Together, chart a course for national reconciliation.

Outputs and Key Activities:

Output

The project is expected to produce the following outputs: 1. Increased participation of local Liberian populace in harnessing the TRC recommendations with the aim to prevent conflict and promote peace and  reconciliation at regional and county level; 2. National  peace and reconciliation initiatives strengthened to sustain peace and stability in Liberia.

Activities

The key activities of the project will include: 1. Convene three regional consultations for five days  each in Grand Gedeh,  Bong and Bomi counties; Discuss the TRC four policy issues in relation to the views and expectations of the participants; identify key issues  of the conflict specific to each county and region for mediation; to compile report on county specific outcomes and issues for the national conference; and facilitate the selection of 13 delegates per county to the national conference. Main activities related to output 2 (National conference) include:  Establish Secretariat to plan and execute the regional consultation and national conference; Convene a five-day national conference in Monrovia that will bring together participants from across the 15 counties, the Diaspora and to include international partners; Facilitate reconciliation ceremonies; and compile conference report.

Indicator and Benchmarks:

Number of successful mediations carried out nation wide

TRC recommendations owned by Liberians and its implementation supported.

200 cross-section of  key stakeholders from the 15 counties participated in the regional consultations.

Number of conflict mediation conducted.

Regional and county specific report outlining key outcomes of the consultations.