After saying goodbye to Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who I’ve known since we worked together in the 1980s, I reflected. All of us who participated in this historic Colloquium reconnected with friends we’d known from our work over the decades on behalf of gender equity and a more just world.  We made new relationships [...]
The first two days were focused on international issues; the third day, with support from the women of the world, was focused on Liberia’s National Plan of Action. Today continues drawing the relationship among national, regional and international efforts to advance women’s rights in all arenas. This morning we had exactly the powerful start needed [...]
Today, while Colloquium workshops continue, another historic event is part of the program. Tonight the film Pray the Devil Back to Hell about the Liberian women’s peace movement responsible for ending the brutal 14-year civil war wasshown. This was the first time it is being screened for the public in Liberia. Radio stations have been promoting [...]
Half a dozen concurrent thematic sessions – each with a half dozen panelists and a moderator before tea; another dozen break-out sessions – also with panelists, moderators and rapporteurs delving deeper into the themes before lunch, each charged to develop concrete action steps; an afternoon session with several remarkable segments including, among more:Presidents Ellen Johnson [...]
Carol Jenkins, President of the Women’s Media Center, is the MC for this International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership, Development, Peace and Security  being held in Samuel K. Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia co-hosted by Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Finland’s President Tarja Halonen. This is what I texted Carol first thing this morning, [...]
Leaving lodging now to sounds of music coming from every direction and vendors in full swing everywhere: how wonderful to see Liberia returning to its past vitality after enduring such a devastating war. While I know all people of this nation still are deeply traumatized, I am profoundly moved by everyone’s spirit of generosity and hope. [...]
In the morning light, five hours after arriving, I see we are on a bustling street in downtown Monrovia: wonderful people from the Liberia Host Committee – Precious, Samuel, Emmanuel, Ruth and Johnson helping us in every way. I must join my colleagues here from Sweeden, Somalia, Ethiopia, the UK and US to go to the Stadium [...]
First lesson learned: better charge camera battery before departing on a 29 hour voyage! I wish I could show you pictures from the magnificently chaotic and gorgeous scene of much of an entire plane of Colloquium participants disembarking in the dark; beautiful young singers & drummers greeting us, small handwritten welcome signs; drinks & snacks; [...]
I am a blog virgin and this is my first!  For many years, as a consultant I’ve been encouraging all my clients to learn about and utilize the many tools and platforms the Internet provides to allow them to increase their impact and many have done so to great success.  As I also teach courses [...]