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Liberia: Performing the Symbols of the Past, Reinventing the Symbols of the Future Liberian Studies Association Conference, Indiana University, 23-25.03.07. Reinventing the Security Sector in Liberia: Lessons Learnt from Public Perceptions Judy Smith-Höhn. Outline. Methodology
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Liberia: Performing the Symbols of the Past,Reinventing the Symbols of the FutureLiberian Studies Association Conference, Indiana University, 23-25.03.07 Reinventing the Security Sector in Liberia: Lessons Learnt from Public Perceptions Judy Smith-Höhn
Outline • Methodology • Presentation of selected results • Conclusion: relevance of local perceptions for security sector reform
1. Methodology Three methods: • Survey poll of 700 Respondents in the 3 urban areas of Monrovia, Tubmanburg and Buchanan • 4 focus group discussions of 6-8 persons • Approx. 30 semi-standardised interviews with elites and local as well as international experts
2. Results Three guiding questions: • How do Liberians perceive security today, • who do Liberians consider to be relevant security actors, and • how have security perceptions changed over time?
Perceptions of security today Table 1: Perceptions of general and personal security in Liberia today
Table 2: Which group is the most important one for your personal safety? N: 698
Table 3: Rating of security actors in urban Liberia today N = 698 (out of total sample of 700); % of ‘Don’t know’ and ‘no answer’ responses not shown
Changing perceptions of security over time Table 4: Perceptions of changes in national and personal security
Vigilante Poro/Sandee MODEL LURD GOL/militia ATU SOD disputed Legend: positive --- --- negative --- cooperation rivalry Diagram 2: Mapping of Security Arena in 2003 Before:
Diagram 1: Mapping of Security Arena in Liberia today After:
3. Conclusion Past Future ?
Additional slidePerceptions of security - Liberia and Sierra Leone compared Liberia N = 698; Sierra Leone N=702
Additional slideTable: Which group do you feel is the biggest threat to you personally?
Additional slide: Focus groups in Sierra Leone Mapping the security arena in SL today (market women)
Additional slide: Focus groups in Sierra Leone Mapping the security arena in SL 3 years ago
Additional slide: Focus groups in Sierra Leone Mapping the security arena in SL 5 years ago