EU To Hold 2nd Dialogue With Civil Society

The European Union Delegation to Liberia will today Thursday (14 February 2013) hold the second Structured Dialogue in Monrovia with Liberian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

The dialogue is to focus on update of the EU programming exercise; the role of CSOs in the implementation and monitoring of the Government’s Agenda for Transformation and the Liberia Development Alliance,  as well as the role of CSOs in promoting transparency and fighting corruption.

A press release by the EU Delegation to Liberia says the dialogue intends to facilitate an open discussion about issues of common interest around EU-Liberia relations.

It also seeks to reach mutual understanding and build consensus on the main challenges related to Civil Society Organizations through an open and inclusive forum; finding ways to improve the effectiveness of CSOs, and to advance and strengthen partnerships.

The event, which takes place at the Royal Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia beginning at 2:00pm (14:00hoursGMT) will be co-chaired by the EU Head of Delegation, Ambassador Attilio Pacifici, and Ms. Francis Greaves, Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL).

Civil society institutions expected to attend include the National Civil Society Council, NGO Coalition, and Liberia’s International Non-Governmental Organizations (LINGO) beside European Union Member States representatives.

Before the ‘Structured Dialogue’, the EU will hold discussions with Liberian CSOs that are implementing the EU Non-State Actors (NSA) programme which aims at supporting actions that promote an inclusive and empowered Civil Society in Liberia.

The 2nd NSA meeting (the first one took place in November 2013) would centre on progress assessment and challenges identified, and would involve Non-State Actors (NSA) organizations, including Care, Handicap International, Oxfam, Trocaire and Search for Common Ground (SFCG).