NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF LIBERIA J 1Vison202 4 UY19 -31, 18 4 BERijN24 1. INTRODUCTION: Although the war is over, elections held, and a new government put in place, the problems of the nation are not yet over. We must work hard to rebuild our lives, homes, public buildings, clinics, hospitals, schools, roads, and many other things the war spoiled. For Liberia to be built better again, all Liberians and friends of Liberia must "hang head" to decide the best way this big job can be done. In the past we left all our problems to government people to take care of, but, as we all see, these problems are still not over. President Taylor thinks that the only way we can make Liberia a good country, is for all of us to think and work together. No one person knows what is good for everybody, even if that person is President, Minister, Senator, Superintendent, or ParamountChief. Also, this country belongs to all of us; so, we must all work hard to fix it. The proper beginning of this important job is that we as a nation must come together and say what we really want. and do everything possible to get it. We learned from the war that fighting cannot build a country. Now that we have elected the government we want, we must not allow anyone to knock our heads together again for us to fight with each other. If any Liberian or foreigner brings trouble to our country, we should all hold together to stop that person, because war is very bad. The President will be holding a big meeting in Monrovia from July 19 to July 31, 1998 this year to find out from Liberians what they want to see Liberia look like in the future and to agree on what should be done to make it the kind of country we want. No one should be afraid to speak his or her mind, because the President wants the truth and nothing but the truth. No citizen will be arrested or troubled in any way whatsoever for saying what he or she thinks about the problems our country faces. The government may not be able to do everything we want, but it will keep all the things we say in mind when planning how to rebuild the country, better than what it was before. I I THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE There are four big reasons why the government wants to hold this Conference: A. To find out from Liberians and friends of Liberia what they really want Liberia to look like in the future. When we have a clear picture of what we want our country to be, we will be in a better position to do what is necessary to rebuild it; B. To find out from our people the troubles, problems, and bad things happening in the country that make it hard for Liberia to look the way we want it to look; C: To find out from our people some of the good things in our favour that can help make Liberia become what all of us want * it to become; D. To find out from our people what they should be doing now and in the future to make sure Liberia becomes the kind of country we all will be proud of. Ill. THE PEOPLE WHO WILL TAKE PART Because this big meeting is about all Liberians and the country as a whole, the President wants representatives not only from all parts of the country, but also from England, France, Germany, America, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, Guinea, and other nations of the world where Liberians are found, to come to this meeting. It is not possible for everybody to attend the meeting. Liberians in and outside of the country will therefore elect people to represent them. The President himself will open the Conference. Dr. Roland Massaquoi, who is in charge of the farming business in the government, will chair the meeting; while Dr. A. Romeo Horton, special representative of the President, will arrange everything concerning the meeting. 2 C. SECURITY (National and Personal) 1. Improving Liberia's Security in the Next Thousand Years: Since the fighting, plenty people are scared because there are too many guns; some of the security people themselves always trouble the people, kill some of them, and loot their properties; many of security people are not trained good. What should the government do to protect the people and their properties? What should be the role of the army, the police, and the secret service? What should be the role of other security groups? 2. Strengthening Liberia's Legal System: Many people say the court system in this country is weak, only the people with money and power can win cases in the courts. So what do we do to make sure the court system is fair for everybody? 3. Strengthening Liberia's Security Through Mutual Defense Agreements: The security of Liberia now depends on the security of the West African sub- region (Nigeria, Guinea, Ivory Coast, etc). Liberia cannot protect herself all the time. She has to join military groups in other countries like the United States, Nigeria, ECOWAS, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. What do our people think of this idea? 7 D. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Liberia's Relations with other Countries: Liberia is friendly with many countries on a-one-to-one basis; some of these countries are the United States, Nigeria, Taiwan, China, Guinea, and Japan. Should Liberia strenghten her relations with her old friends, while making new ones? 2 Membership in International Organizations: Liberia's membership in international bodies such as the OAU, the UN, the Mano River Union, and ECOWAS needs to be look at. Liberia owes dues to most of these organizations and so cannot benefit from them; yet we cannot afford not to be within them; what should we do? 3. Relationships with Non-governmental Organizations: This topic has to do with NGOs. Much of Liberia's assistance, especially during the war, came and continues to come through NGOs. What can we do to work together so that all of can benefit. 4. Commercial Ties and Trade Links: Liberia does business with many countries; this topic will look at how we can strengthen these ties. 8 You can add any other big or small issue, you also think that is important, since we don't know it all. Your views and opinions are very important. CONTACT ADDRESS Dr. A. Romeo Horton COORDINATOR, SECRETARIAT First Commercial and Investment Bank 4 Corner of Ashmun and Mechlin Streets Monrovia, Liberia Tel: (231) 227-177 Fax: (231) 227-177 or All Ambassadors and County Superintendents VISION 2024 LJULY 19-31, 1 9 9 8 A UNITY CONFERENCE CENTER VIRGINIA, LIBERIA OBJECTIVES "COME AND LET US PLAN OUR FUTURE TOGETHER" he above invitation from Dahkpanah Dr. Charles Ghankay Taylor, President of Liberia, succinctly states the Focus of the National Conference on the Future of Liberia. It is a forum in which Liberians from all walks of life, at home and from abroad, can consult on pertinent issues of our national life, as they will impact our Society, emerging from seven years of a wrenching tragedy of war. Although it is basically a conference for Liberians, friends of Liberia who may wish to assist will have an opportunity to do so. The objectives of this conference are clearly reflected in the theme: Vision 2024. They are: 1. To evolve a national vision of our country in the new millenium. 2. Identify the hopes and aspirations of the Liberian people. 3. Produce a national agenda that all of the Liberian people can see fit to pursue irrespective of changes in the political HIS EXCELLENCE DAHKPANAH DR. CHARLES G.TAYLOR leadership. President of the Republic of Liberia 4. The conference should also identify the NainlChariman and Convenor mechanisms and strategies for attaining National Cthe vision. The Convenor, President Taylor says emphatically that he does not want it to be used as a forum to articulate any partisan political ideologies; nor an academic/intellectual exercise that marginalizes those who do not have academic credentials. PROGRAM REGISTRATION of participants will begin on Sunday July 19, at 9 a.m. In the aftemoon at 3 p.m. an intercessory service will be held in the Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmun Street, and in the evening a welcome reception will be On the 28th, 29th and 30th of July, hosted by the General Chairman, Vice General Chairmen the respective and Coordinator. Committees will be meeting to formulate recommendations, conclusions and/or resolutions from The Official opening ceremony takes place on Monday the various presentations. moving at 10 a.m. following registration. His Excellency Dahkpanah Dr. Charles G. Taylor, Convenor, will deliver the keynote address, and declare the conference officially CLOSING, JULY 31 opened. 3:00 P.M. The conference committee chairmen and Dr. Taylor is expected to explore and express the full rapporteurs will present their reports. range of his own perceptions and thinking about the The Coordinator, Dr. A. Romeo Horton, will present journey on which Liberia is to embark toward 2024. He the combined recommendations, will, in other words, be expected to lift the conclusions and lid on the grand resolutions representing national debate about where Liberia should be going, and the consensus of the conference. what all Liberians agree should be the way to get there. Thereafter, he and Mrs. Taylor will tender a luncheon at A Vote of Thanks will be offered by the General mid-day.