The government of Ireland has reaffirmed and expressed its
strong support for the establishment of a peace and justice mechanism to
address unresolved grievances of the past, including the creation of the War
and Economic Crimes Court and an Anti-Corruption Court.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Liberia, Gerard Considine, speaking
at the launch of the PeaceGen Project, said his country’s commitment to
supporting peacebuilding and justice initiatives is intended to strengthen
Liberia’s quest to deal with impunity.
“We believe this project will help bridge the gap between
the resolved grievances of the past and the aspirations for justice in the future.
It aligns perfectly with the principles of the youth, peace, and security
agenda and complements national efforts, including the establishment of the war
and economic crimes court,” Ambassador Considine said.
The PeaceGen Project, funded by the European Union and
Ireland, is a three-year initiative implemented by the Kvinna Till Kvinna
Foundation, headed by Mrs. Kortu Williams, in partnership with the Women NGO
Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), the Female Journalist Association of Liberia
(FeJAL), the Female Lawyers Association of Liberia, among others.
The project aims to strengthen meaningful participation and
leadership of youth and women in Liberia’s ongoing peacebuilding, conflict
prevention, decision-making, and transitional justice processes at both local
and national levels.
Speaking as Chief Launcher of the PeaceGen Project, OWECC-L
Executive Director Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu described the initiative as a
timely intervention aimed at empowering young people to become ambassadors of
peace, tolerance, responsible citizenship, and social cohesion.
Addressing government officials, diplomats, civil society
actors, youth groups, and development partners, Dr. Barbu emphasized that the
initiative is one of the surest ways to confront impunity, strengthen the rule
of law, and ensure that young people have meaningful opportunities to
contribute to national development.
“True peace is built on justice, accountability, inclusion,
and opportunity,” Dr. Barbu declared. “Nations that fail to address the wounds
of the past risk reopening them in the future.”
Dr. Barbu further urged the Government of Liberia,
international partners, the private sector, faith-based institutions, and civil
society organizations to provide sustained financial, technical, and moral
support to initiatives such as PeaceGen.
“Investing in peace is not charity; it is a national
security imperative and a moral obligation,” he noted, adding that every
investment made in educating, mentoring, and empowering young people
contributes to preventing violence and safeguarding democracy.
Officially declaring the project launched, Dr. Barbu pledged
OWECC-L's full support to the initiative and called on Liberians to work
collectively to end impunity, corruption, violence, and drug abuse while
promoting reconciliation and accountability.
