International Volunteer Day 2012 REPORT PREPARED BY: Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) Funded By:

Transcription

1 International Volunteer Day 2012 REPORT PREPARED BY: Funded By: Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) December 20, 2012

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) extends its warmest thanks and appreciation to all who took time to make the International Volunteer Day 2012 celebration a success. This program was made possible by the grace of the Almighty God. We are grateful and wish to extend our profound thanks and appreciation to the United States Embassy-Monrovia for providing funding for the International Volunteer Day 2012 celebration in Liberia. We are particularly thankful to our staff and Volunteers that spent tireless energy during the implementation of the program. We salute you for persistence. We will be ungrateful if we do not mention the timely and meaningful contribution made by the Public Affairs Office of the United States Embassy-Monrovia to ensure that the program was successfully implemented, we appreciate the level of cooperation and partnership thus far. Finally, we thank the Youth Exploring Solutions, Youth Federation for World Peace, West Point Intellectual Forum, Point Four Hatai Athletic Social & Intellectual Organization and the Coalition of Islamic Youth Organization in Liberia. For those who were not mentioned in this acknowledgement, we grace and appreciate your incredible contributions. Warm sentiment of appreciation, Very truly yours, James Koryor Executive Director Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development

3 TABLE OF CONTENT Page i. Overview. 1-3 ii. Goal.. 4 iii. Objectives 4 iv. Implemented Activities v. Challenges 11 vi. Accomplishment..11 vii. Conclusion.11 viii. Recommendation 12 ix. Photo Gallery

4 Name of reporting organization Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) Contact Person James Koryor Position Executive Director Physical Address 1 st Floor New Deal Building, Gurley Street, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia Address coypedlib@gmail.com Telephone Grant Number S-LI GR-040 Project Title International Volunteer Day 2012 Celebration Area (s) of Implementation West Point, New Kru Town, Central Monrovia, Sinkor and Paynesville in Montserrado County Number of Participants 627 persons OVERVIEW Each year UN General Assembly invites governments to observe the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on December 5. International Volunteer Day (IVD) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in IVD is now celebrated worldwide with thousands of volunteers involved in a range of IVD initiatives including clean-up campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, morning teas and many other activities all aimed to highlight the role of volunteers in their communities. In 2001, the International Year of Volunteers, the Assembly adopted a set of recommendations on ways that governments and the UN could support volunteering and asked that they be widely disseminated. The International Year of Volunteers aimed to stimulate national and international policy debate around, and to advocate for, recognizing, facilitating, networking and promoting voluntary action. The year led to a much better appreciation of the power of volunteerism in its many forms and the ways to support it. IVD offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions - at local, national and international levels - to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This day hopes to heighten people s and governments awareness of the voluntary contributions. It also focuses on stimulating people to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and abroad. Over the years, governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals contribute the International Volunteer Day through various activities. 1

5 Activities and events for the day help promote the impact of volunteering and the UN s Millennium Development Goals, via volunteering to: Help eradicate poverty. Achieve universal primary education. Promote gender equality and empower women. Reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health. Reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases. Help ensure environmental sustainability. In commemoration of the IVD in Liberia, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development, United States Embassy Monrovia and other partners helped to ensure environmental sustainability through a Massive Cleaning-up Campaign in five (5) communities in Montserrado County. L-R Albert Jaja, Asst. Minister for Information, Lasana A. Kromah COYPED Advisor, Rep. Munah Pelham, James Koryor, COYPED Executive Director, US Ambassador Deborah Malac, Mohammed A. Nasser President FLY, Matthew Wisseh COYPED Executive Sec. Stephen B. Lavalah, Executive Director Youth Exploring Solutions, Musu Jugbor, President United Women, Mohammed A.S. Wai COYPED Deputy Dir. & H. Bashelu Kromah Program Director COYPED 2

6 The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED), United States Embassy- Monrovia and partners celebrate on December 7-8 and carry out series activities commencing with a parade on Friday, December 7 from the Ministry of Education on Broad Street to the YMCA conference hall in Monrovia where a formal program was held. The Indoor program brought together over 100 participants including the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, Representative Munah Pelham of District # 9 Montserrado County, Hon. Albert Jaja Assistant Minister for Information Services at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, Mohammed A. Nasser, President of the Federation of Liberian Youth including national non-governmental organizations, youth and women groups, students and other stakeholders. In continuation of the celebration, on Saturday, December 8, a massive cleaning up campaign was carry out simultaneously in five communities across Montserrado County which includes, New Kru Town, West Point, Central Monrovia, Sinkor, and Paynesville. Madam Sally Hodgson Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Monrovia with some youth volunteers in West Point, Liberia 3

7 Goal The event targeted significant goal area including: Raising awareness about the year round contribution and achievements of volunteers across the world, providing an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to show their contributions to peace and development; OBJECTIVES: To carry out massive cleaning-up exercise in five communities in Montserrado County in an effort to help ensure environmental sustainability and also to make visible volunteers contributions locally. To educate youths on the importance of community services, volunteerism and social responsibility; Students & Youth Groups Representatives at the 2012 IVD 4

8 IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES: Parade: The celebration started with a parade commencing from the B.W. Harris High School on Broad Street to the YMCA up Crown Hill. The parade was intended to raise awareness and create publicity about the event. Eighty-seven persons participated in the parade the included students from Six (6) High Schools and representatives from various youth group. Indoor Program; The indoor program brought together over 100 participants from various sectors of the society including officials of the US Embassy, Government of Liberia, national nongovernmental organizations, youth and women groups, students and other stakeholders. Ambassador Deborah Malac speaking at the IVD 2012 indoor program 5

9 The indoor program was aimed at high-lighten and recognizing the contributions of volunteers worldwide as well as inspiring young people to engage into voluntary activities. The event was covered by the print and electronic media with thirteen (13) media institutions in attendance. US Ambassador Deborah Malac served as Keynote Speaker. Marking remarks at the event were Representative Munah Pelham of District # 9 Montserrado County, Hon. Albert Jaja Assistant Minister for Information Services at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, and Mohammed A. Nasser President of the Federation of Liberian Youth. Cleaning-Up Campaign; In continuation of the celebration, on Saturday, December 8, a massive cleaning up campaign was carryout simultaneously in five communities across Montserrado County. The communities included; New Kru Town, West Point, Central Monrovia, Sinkor, and Paynesville. Some Volunteers in New Kru Town 6

10 New Kru Town: In New Kru Town, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development and the Point Four Haita Athletic, Social and Intellectual Organization mobilized one hundred youth volunteers who carryout massive cleaning of the major streets in the communities from Caldwell junction to Point four Junction towards Redemption Hospital include the main street of New Kru Town. West Point; In West Point, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development and the West Point Intellectual Forum, Inc. mobilized one hundred youth volunteers who carryout massive cleaning of the major streets in the communities from LEC Junction towards Fanti Town to include the main street of West Point. Some Volunteers with Madam Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Officer US Embassy-Monrovia in West Point, Liberia 7

11 CENTRAL MONROVIA In Central Monrovia, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development and the Coalition of Islamic Youth Organizations in Liberia mobilized one hundred youth volunteers who carryout massive cleaning of the major streets in Monrovia from Broad & Michelin Streets towards Crown Hill to include Randall Street, Carey Street, Gurley Street Benson Street, Buchanan Street.. Some Volunteers on Broad Street in Central Monrovia 8

12 SINKOR: In Sinkor, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development and the Youth Federation for World Peace mobilized one hundred youth volunteers who carryout massive cleaning of the major streets in Sinkor commencing from Tenth Street Tubman Boulevard to Monrovia City Hall to include Saye Town. Some Volunteers in Sinkor with Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Officer US Embassy-Monrovia 9

13 PAYNESVILLE: In Paynesville, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development and the Youth Exploring Solutions mobilized one hundred youth volunteers who carryout massive cleaning of the major streets in Paynesville commencing from Tenth Street Tubman Boulevard to Monrovia City Hall to include Saye Town. Some Volunteers in Paynesville with Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Officer US Embassy-Monrovia 10

14 CHALLENGES Though COYPED and partners greatly succeeded in the celebration of the International Volunteer Day 2012, but there remain challenges which were somewhat overcome based on commitment by members of COYPED and partners. Mobilization of participants for the parade and getting Special Guests was also challenging. Many of those individuals previously invited turn down the invitation in the last minute but thanks to all those who made it their duty to honor our invitation and made the celebration successful. ACCOMPLISHMENT COYPED accomplished the defined event objectives and goal with technical assistance from the Public Affairs Office of the US-Embassy-Monrovia as well as the partnership with five (5) community youth organizations; Youth Exploring Solutions, Youth Federation for World Peace, Coalition of Islamic Youth Organization in Liberia, West Point Intellectual Forum and the Point Four Hatia Athletic, Social and Intellectual Organization. Parade; 104 persons participated by marching through the principle streets of Monrovia to the YMCA on Crown Hill Broad Street in Monrovia. Indoor Program; 127 persons including participants from the parade attended the indoor program Cleaning-Up Campaign; 100 volunteers from each of the targeted communities totaling 500 persons that participated in the cleaning including officials from the US Embassy headed by Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Officer. CONCLUSION In view of all that have been expounded upon, it can clearly be acknowledged that the International Volunteer Day 2012 was meticulously conducted with the overall goal, objectives and purposes being accomplished. Once more we appreciate each and every one who took up their time to make this event a success we salute you. 11

15 RECOMMENDATION In an endeavor to buttress the Liberian Government and partners strives to ensure environment sustainability by keeping the City clean and promoting volunteerism, COYPED recommends the followings to be taking into consideration for future activities: 1. That the United States Embassy in Monrovia continue its support to programs and activities that promote volunteerism and community services; 2. That funding opportunities be available to youth-led initiatives based on program innovation, strategies and commitment; 12

16 PHOTO GALLERY Some young Female Volunteers with Madam Sally Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Officer US Embassy-Monrovia cleaning the Streets in West Point 13

17 Cross section of Students at the IVD indoor Program at the YMCA Conference Hall Hon. Albert Jaja, Assistant Minister for Information Services, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism 14

18 Hon. Munah Pelham, Representative District # 9 Montserrado County 53 rd National Legislature RL US Ambassador Deborah Malac and James Koryor COYPED Executive Director at the IVD

19 Mohammed A. Nasser, President of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) at the event IVD 2012 Youth Volunteers in New Kru Town 16

20 Volunteers in Sinkor Volunteers with Sally in Paynesville 17

21 Youth Volunteers in West Point Mr. Bush Trinity Country Representative Movement Against Violence & Impunity in Africa and Madam Sally Hodgson Public Affairs Officers US Embassy-Monrovia at the IVD

22 COYPED Staff and some partner representatives Youth Volunteers in Paynesville 19