Conflict Analysis Summary: Liberia
This report summarizes findings from a conflict analysis undertaken as part of the UNICEF Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy (PBEA) programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The purpose of the report is to better understand the relationship between education, conflict and peacebuilding in Liberia, and to identify education and peacebuilding strategies informed by local attitudes, perceptions, needs and priorities. The conflict analysis was developed through a series of workshops with 1,006 people (including 384 children) in the counties of Maryland, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Lofa, and Grand Cape Mount, as well as informal urban settlements in Monrovia. These consultations involved a range of stakeholders, including those that might be marginalized in education circles such as traditional leaders, out-of-school youth, people with disabilities, women and ex-combatants.
Findings from the workshops were validated with stakeholders in Monrovia. While mainly consultative, the report also built on previous analyses of the Liberia context. (p. 1)Many linkages between conflict, education and peacebuilding were identified during the consultations. These linkages were validated during the Monrovia workshop and priorities for education and peacebuilding were identified including:
- Respect – rights and responsibilities;
- Identity, equity and inclusion;
- Access to quality services and resources;
- Trust, transparency and accountability; and
- Empowerment and the power to act.