gcj/pco peacebuilder project
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Global Citizen Journey
Global Citizen Journey
LeadershipSusan Partnow, Founder and Executive Director
Steering CommitteeVolunteers
Project Directors & Country HostsDelegates
Global Citizen Journey
GCJ Mission
Global Citizen Journey
GCJ Mission How do we awaken to
our interconnectedness, our grassroots power, and
our mutual responsibility … so we are inspired to act
as fully engaged global citizens?
Global Citizen Journey
Emmanuel Dolo Founder and Director
Population Caring Organization (PCO)
Building Peace in Liberia
Population Caring Organization
(PCO)“Care for the Future”
Developing Peaceful Communities in West Africa
What is PCO?• Humanitarian NGO founded in 2003
• Dedicated to improve the well-being of West Africans, especially Liberians and Ghanaians
• Work to empower Liberian refugees in Buduburam to reconcile their war inherited differences and to rebuild their lives.
Liberia is in West Africa
Liberia’s Ethnic Groups
- Kru - Gola - Gio - Belle - Mano -
Gbandi - Kpelle - Sarpo - Krahn - Bassa - Lorma - Dey - Mandingo - Kissi - Via - Grebo
Americo-Liberian
History of Liberia
• Formation of Liberia
• Role/Impact of U.S. in sending ex-slaves back
Civil War
Civil War
Impact of the War
250,000 people died, properties destroyed or damaged, internal human displacement:; refugees
Buduburam Refugee Camp
(in Ghana)
Where is PCO Located?
PCO Programs: Working to empower Liberian refugees in to reconcile their war inherited differences and
rebuild their lives.• Peace and Reconciliation• Community Peace Cell• Tribal leaders forum• Vocational & life skills
empowerment• Primary education to refugee
children
Peace and Reconciliation
The Peace Cell Project• A gathering of
neighbors to discuss issues relating to their well being as a community
• Key goal: promote peace and healing through community dialogue and communication
Tribal Leaders Reconciliation Forum
Goal: generate commitment to genuine peace and reconciliation in Liberia
• Bring together elders and leaders of Liberia’s ethnic groups • Engage in discussion forums, workshops, and traditional peace festivals
Refugee Mothers Vocational Skills Training Center
• Empowers war-affected mothers who can’t support themselves and their families
• One-year course to provide skills in sewing, literacy, peace education and women’s health
• Sends their children to the PCO Primary School.
• Upon completion, mothers join PCO Women’s Cooperative to produce quilts and clothing
Primary Education to Refugee Children
- Established and run by PCO in
Buduburam
- Provides free quality primary
education to refugee children whose parents cannot afford school fees
- Taught 733 students and provided 6-8 hours of classes since 2004
International Volunteer Program
• Since 2003 hosted over 209 volunteers from 17 countries
• Maximizes effective use of volunteers while providing a fulfilling experience
• Volunteers make the free and quality services PCO provides to needy people of Buduburam possible
Liberia’s Current Situation
•Democratic process in place•Liberians are returning home•Relative Peace • (UN Peacekeepers)•Need to build sustainable peace among the tribal groups
Future Plans of PCO
•Consolidate presence of PCO in Liberia by constructing the Foundation Community
• Establish a national framework for deeper reconciliation among the ethnic groups of Liberia through the national tribal leaders reconciliation project
Forum
Proposed National Tribal Leaders’ Forum
• PCO Peace Program Background• What we did• What we gathered• Where we are going
PCO’s Next Step
Global Citizen Journey
GCJ Partnership
Cross Cultural Dialogue & Reflection in Circle Time
Honoring & Hearing All Sides
Town Hall with 140 in Axim, Ghana
Town Hall with Oporoza Villagers
Children are continuously exposed to environmental hazards.
Ijaw, Itsekiri & Urhobo women and men knee to knee
Citizen Diplomacy
Niger Delta Friendship Library
Orphanage-Community Center with partner WHH-Axim, Ghana
Our presence – Building the Global Neighborhood
Inspiring hope, friendship, volunteerism & empowerment
Forum
•Work with Global Citizen Journey to form a partnership with PCO
•Help find funding •Provide technical support
Ways to Get Involved
Global Citizen Journey
Thanks so much for your attention
Population Caring
Organization