National Symposium

Keynote speaker Father Dr. Tikpor (left) receives City of Greensboro from the Major Representative Carol Bellmany Small (right) as Dr. Somah, LIHEDE Executive (center) looks on.

National Symposium on Liberia Future Takes Place in America

 A National Symposium on the future of Liberia aimed at mapping out appropriate strategies for the reconstruction and re-development of the war ravaged nation devastated by 14 years of two brutal and bloody wars, takes place this week in the United States of America (USA), with hundreds of Liberians and other nationals attending. The symposium's theme is “Promoting civil Liberties, Collective Security, and Development in Post-Conflict Liberia”. The two-day symposium takes place from October 29-30, 2004, at the NC A & T State University's Union Exhibit Hall in Greensboro , North Carolina .

The symposium which is being organized by the Liberian History, Education and development (LIHEDE), Incorporated, a national NGO, is jointly sponsored by the North Carolina A&T State University and the Liberian History, Education, & Development, Inc. (LIHEDE), in collaboration with Bennett College of Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. Among the key objectives of the symposium are to provide a forum for all Liberians of different spheres and backgrounds to come together and find practical solutions to social and economic problems in Liberia, to stimulate greater interest among 150-200 sons and daughters of Liberia to make a trip home to Liberia for two–three weeks in 2005 to conduct workshops and seminars aimed at rallying the Liberian people towards national unity and national consciousness and to affably engage the Liberian government regarding the redevelopment priorities of Liberia.

The Reverend Father, Dr. Robert G. Tikpor of the Catholic Diocese of Monrovia would deliver the keynote address on the topic; “The Role of Religion in Post-Civil War Liberia,” while eminent Liberians including professionals, academicians, opinion leaders and diplomats will present papers on key topics aimed at creating a national blueprint for Liberia in areas such as education, economics, health, agriculture, politics, culture, etc.

Among those expected to present papers on selected topics of interest to the development of Liberia are Mr. T. Nelson Williams, Sr., Former Chairman, Mass Communications Department, University of Liberia on “Free Press & Responsibility in the New Liberia;” Rev. J. Emmanuel Z. Bowier, Former Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Republic of Liberia on “Liberian Socio-Cultural Realities & the Challenge for Nation Building;” Mrs. Mydea Reeves-Karpeh, Former President, Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), on “The Role of Women in Post-Conflict Liberia;” Dr. Mariah Seton, Education Consultant, on “Ethnic Diversity and Socio-Economic Development in the New Liberia,” and Dr. Emmanuel Dolo, Principal Investigator, Minority Mental Health Service Utilization Research Project, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeworks International Evaluation and Consulting, Minnesota on “Mental Health & Social Rehabilitation in Liberia.”

Other are Mrs. Mia Yuan, Agronomist and former president of UNICCO on “Women and Small Business Development in Post-Conflict Liberia;” Mrs. Roberto Rashid, Former President of ULLA and Mr. Arthur Watson, current President of ULLA on “A New Partnership for Liberia's Development;” Mr. Kabineh Ja'neh, Minister of Justice, Republic of Liberia, on “ Justice and Civil Liberties in Post-Conflict Liberia,” Mr. Gerry Corneau & Ms. Victoria Rapozo of The ECOMPASS GROUP on “The Sunday Project: A Model for Rehabilitating Children and Mentally-Challenged Adults in War-Weary Liberia,” and Dr. Abraham L. James, Former Assistant to President W.V.S. Tubman and Adjunct Professor of History at The Comey Institute, Saint Joseph's University, Pennsylvania, on “Redefining Liberian-American Relations in the New Liberia.”

Other presenters include Mr. Bai M. Gbala, Former Presidential Political Advisor, Liberia on ”Decentralization in the New Liberia: Pros and Cons,” Dr. Lawrence A. Zumo, Neurologist with sub-specialization in Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, Syncope and HIV Neurology, on “Imperatives for Collective Security in the New Liberia;” Lt. J. Kessel Tarley, US Military, United States Veteran Hospital, New York, on “Reorganization of the Liberian Military;” Hon. Charles A. Minor, Liberian Ambassador to the US and Dr. C. William Allen, Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Liberia, on “Government Policies and Update on Current Developments in Liberia,” and Dr. James Tarpeh, Former Ambassador to Nigeria; Prof. D. Elwood Dunn, Professor of Political Science University of the South, Sewanee; Dr. Syrulwa Somah; Executive Director, LIHEDE; Mr. Bodioh Siapoe, National Chairman, Coalition of Progressive Liberians in the Americas (COPLA), on “Proposal for an All-Liberian Diaspora Conference.”

According to a dispatched from the Executive Director of LIHEDE, Dr. Syrulwa Somah, a tenured Professor at the NC A & T State University in the North Carolina, the symposium will serve as a reminder to all Liberians that any nation, in its struggles for national development and political power, must first and foremost not only draw upon its own past and way of life but depends on the talents or brains of its sons and daughters.

Besides, the symposium is intended to emphasize that after 14 years of two devastating civil wars, Liberians unconsciously entered a new era, a new political horizon, where success and progress will begin with the collective showcasing of the talents of all Liberians in finding practical solutions to the many problems facing the nation today.

Dr. Somah, according to the dispatched noted that Liberia is in urgent need of the creative talents of all her sons and daughters in the rebuilding of the country. He said it is no longer enough for those living abroad to waste a lifetime waiting for the right opportunity, the right moment, the right international organizations, or the right man or women to come along to fix and rebuild Liberia. Liberia is currently suffering from a huge brain drain, national leadership, and meaningful socio-economic development, therefore Liberians need to make whatever contributions they can toward the rebuilding of Liberia, adding that it could be a starting point, if not a gateway to launching meaningful development projects in Liberia for the betterment of the Liberian people, who have suffered 14 years.

He said it is no secret that Liberia played an important role in the independence struggles of many African countries in its capacity as Africa's oldest independent republic, sadly Liberia did not create the kind of thriving political culture and national development programs befitting of its statute.

According to Dr. Somah, the evolution of Liberia 's worldwide political contributions and creativity are well-documented and can be further studied as a source of enlightenment. These truisms about Liberia's contribution to the League of Nations, the Organization of African Unity (now African Union), the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and to the formation of the State of Israel not only exist, but also reflect her potential for self resurrection, self –development and the fight for political unity.

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