Press Release Nº 310/2015

CIDO meets delegation from Government of Liberia to discuss support on Liberian Diaspora Engagement Program (LDEP)

Addis Ababa 26 October 2015: Mr. Ahmed El Basheer, Head of Diaspora Division, Mr. Jalel Chelba, Head of Civil Society Division and officers from the Diaspora Division met with a delegation from the Government of the Republic of Liberia. The delegation was headed by Hon. Anthony Quiwonkpa, Deputy Minister of State Without Portfolio; and also included Mr. Lloyd Scott, Program Coordinator of the Liberia Diaspora Engagement Program (LDEP), Mr. Paye S. Gbelayan, Director of Investment Promotion of the National Investment Commission of Liberia, Mr. Edwin Kakia, Director for Policy Appraisal and Evaluation of the Ministry of Education as well as Mr. Moiba Fofana from the Embassy of Liberia to Ethiopia.

The meeting discussed ways to enhance the Liberia Diaspora Engagement policy which is currently under development following the recent formation of a diaspora unit within the Office of the President. The office was established following endorsement by the Liberian cabinet in 2010 . The Head of Diaspora Division emphasized the key roles the diaspora can play in the development of their countries. The meeting shared the best practices in mapping and mobilizing the diaspora and helped identify priority areas and develop policies and programs aimed at leveraging the Liberian diaspora for the development of the country.

CIDO also briefed the delegation on the activities of the directorate and the support that CIDO can provide to advance the LDEP in Liberia. The two parties agreed to continue working together towards common goals including the assignment of a national diaspora focal point in Liberia as per the First 10-Year Implementation Plan of AU Agenda 2063.

In addition, the Head of the Civil Society Division encouraged the Liberian delegation to support the internal mobilization of Liberian civil society organizations for elections and participation in the ECOSOCC General Assembly.

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african- union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia