Liberia Peacebuilding Office and HWPL Sign MOU: Strategic Partnership for Peace Education Implementation

 

 

The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO) and HWPL have formalized their strategic cooperation to establish a foundation for institutionalizing peace education through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing ceremony was held on July 3rd in a conference room within Liberia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs with 14 key officials in attendance, including PBO Director General Sheikh Kamara, PBO Program Director Christopher Paiya, and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Edward Mulbah.

This event was organized to build institutional foundations for establishing a sustainable peace culture within Liberia and served as a meaningful opportunity to formalize the peace cooperation framework between HWPL and PBO.

 

 

The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO) is a specialized peacebuilding institution established in 2009 under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. PBO plays a key role in planning and implementing various peacebuilding programs for Liberia’s sustainable peace and stability. For 15 years since its establishment, it has served as an important bridge for peace settlement and conflict prevention in Liberian society.

The event proceeded with the following agenda: △Opening of the MOU signing ceremony △Presentation by HWPL Global 05 Liberia Branch Director △Presentation by PBO Director General △Signing ceremony and commemorative photography △Tea time with the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and DPCW Support Signing Ceremony. Additionally, time was allocated to confirm mutual cooperation intentions between HWPL and PBO and to discuss future implementation plans.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Edward Mulbah stated, “Peace is the foundation of world peace and stability. We must never compromise on any effort to build inner human satisfaction. Liberia will join HWPL in this effort,” expressing strong support for this cooperation.

 

 

 

Located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, Liberia experienced two civil wars from 1989 to 2003, suffering severe casualties and social collapse. The country has continued national-level efforts for post-war peace and reconciliation. Particularly after conducting democratic elections in 2005 under UN peacekeeping support and regaining stability, peacebuilding remains a major challenge to resolve the remaining conflict elements and regional imbalances throughout society.

Currently, PBO performs comprehensive roles, including strengthening peacebuilding structures nationwide and providing advisory services for peaceful approaches to government policies through conflict sensitivity analysis. However, challenges remain, including the absence of institutionalized peace education, insufficient conflict management capabilities among young generations, and regional perception differences. This MOU, signed under these circumstances, is expected to serve as an important foundation for expanding peace education and connecting with civil society.

Through this MOU signing, both institutions plan to actively pursue the following: △Formation of working committees for joint development of peace education curriculum △Selection of model schools and development of educational materials △National expansion based on performance analysis of model school operations △Promotion of institutionalization through consultations with government departments and educational institutions △Regular monitoring and expansion of cooperation networks for sustainable operations.