230 likes | 243 Views
This update focuses on the impact of Talking Drum Studios in Sierra Leone and Liberia, including regular programs, community peacebuilding initiatives, peace carnivals, and workshops. The Sierra Leone case study showcases the success of the Makeni Peace Carnival, while the Liberia case study highlights the Bong County Peace and Reconciliation Workshop.
E N D
Sierra Leone: Talking Drum Studio 12 regular programs 3 studio locations Community Peacebuilding Unit Youth Community Radio Peace Carnivals and Tours Liberia: Talking Drum Studio 12 regular programs TINAMENIMA (Community Services Unit) Peace and Reconciliation Workshops Drama Outreach Program Overview
Sierra Leone Case Study:Makeni Peace Carnival December 30, 2002-January 1, 2003
Makeni Peace Carnival • Objective: To provide a forum for the community to focus on growing levels of violence in Makeni: at schools, on sports fields, in homes
Background • Makeni—former RUF stronghold, with large excombatant population • SFCG-SL holds outreach events to promote partnership and peacebuilding and develop local capacity • Annual Peace Carnival in Bo every Easter • Steady Bongo Peace Tour (2) • Makeni wanted a similar event
Coalition of Planners: • National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration • The Police • The Army • The Drivers’ Association • The Cassette Sellers’ Association • Sierra Leone Teachers Union • Radio Mankneh • Several Youth Groups
Established Action Committees • Organizing–overall planning, coordination and implementation • Grounds–demarcation of field for booths • Security–made up of Police, Army, youth, and community members • Finance–proceeds from the gates • Ticket–sales of tickets • Publicity–posters, banners, and advertising
Purpose of committees • The committees established local ownership of and responsibility for the event • Provided community-based direction to strategy • Developed local capacity • Each committee had representatives of various stakeholders
Together the stakeholders developed a theme for the peace carnival: Maintaining Law and Order in a Post-conflict Society
Carnival Components • 5 drama troupes • 7 cultural groups • 36 booths • Steady Bongo and the Cultural Heroes • Live broadcasting • Rehabilitation of field hosting the event
Issues Addressed • Law and order • Domestic violence • Local government structures • Role of media in conflict resolution • Violence in schools and sports • HIV/AIDS • Local Partnership Board-roles and responsibilities
Local Partnership Board (LPB) • Established as a community-based organization • LPB received 80% of the revenue from the event • Revenue to be used for a community development project • Report to the community required on how much money was used on what to ensure transparency and accountability
Hugely Successful! • 20,000 people attended • 10Million Leones generated • 15 local organizations involved • 3 days of festivities, 14 hours a day • 1000’s of kudos!
Liberia Case Study:Bong County Peace and Reconciliation Workshop October 31-November 10, 2002
Background • 3rd in a series of workshops between ethnic groups in Liberia’s southeastern counties • Ethnicity has been exploited by political factions • Lofa County conflict has largely been fueled by ethnicity • this series is to prevent a similar occurrence in the southeast
Workshops Held • March 2001 • Sinoe County: Sarpos and Krus • March 2002 • Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties: Gios, Manos and Krahns • October-November 2002 • Bong County: Gios, Manos, Kpelles, Lormas, and Mandingos
Targeted Counties March 2002 October 2002 March 2001
October-November Workshop • Originally scheduled for early summer, but delayed by politically-driven ethnic tension against Mandingos • Format: • 3 small plenary workshops: each between Mandingos and one other ethnic group • Final large workshop among all participating ethnic groups
Purpose of the Plenary Sessions • Identified and defined the conflict • Confronted immediate distrust and suspicion between groups • Laid groundwork for a frank discussion of issues • Facilitated the beginning development of relationships
Full Workshop • Included representatives from each ethnic group • Discussion addressed: • stereotypes • negative and positive experiences with ethnic preference • perceived qualities and characteristics of each ethnic group • TDS taped dialogue and interviews throughout to share with a national audience
Observations and Results • Delegates came to the meeting open to discussion and genuinely seeking peace • Parties took ground rules very seriously, enforcing the rules themselves • Delegates recognized that despite solid progress, only the surface on these conflicts has been touched, especially as ethnic tensions are exacerbated for political gain
Observations and Results cont. • The group achieved maximum capacity in participation • The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Bong County’s Superintendent sent letters to all tribal governors asking that they each send 5 member delegations • Indicated incredible interest in building peace between ethnic groups
Fun Finale • To wrap up the workshop, TINAMENIMA held a fun soccer match between community members, the joint security forces and local government leaders