gcj/pco peacebuilder project

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