The Civil Peace Service of the Mano River Region has ended a partners’ workshop in Monrovia.

The third partners’ workshop was held at the Krystal Ocean view Hotel in Monrovia from March 9-12, 2010 under the Theme “Peace Comes from Within; Networking and Advocacy for Peace.”

The Workshop objectives included capacity building in context analysis and advocacy, strengthening of network, Inter-cultural work pitfalls and potentials, and exchange with other significant actors in peace work in the Region.

During the four days’ deliberations, participants carefully reviewed the previous years’ activities and programs, considered their successes, challenges and mapped new strategies for the next twelve months.

Desirous to make the sub region peaceful, stable and progressive, the participants agreed that the program thrust for 2010 to2011 will take account of Youth economic, political and cultural integration, which goal is to make the youth in the Mano River Region an integral and important component of the development process and that to this end, they will advocate among other interventions, the setting up of Youth Commissions in the Mano River Region Countries.

At the close of the workshop, the Secretary General of the Liberian Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Benjamin D. Lartey read the Communiqué which among other things pointed at Religion and Identity; Ethno-Religious conflicts as becoming a disturbing feature of the Sub-Region’s political landscape, which they intend to research on the root causes of these conflicts, fight against rumors and misinformation and collaborate with other partners and stakeholders to proffer possible solutions.

The Communiqué among others things, examined land and economic growth; foreign Investors are showing increasing interest in the acquisition of land for large scale farming.

“While we welcome investment in rural areas, we are, however concerned about its possible effects especially on rural livelihoods. We therefore intend to commission a scientific study, hold consultations with the community, people and other stakes holders and link up with potential partners on the impact of extensive non-food production on the environment, food security and sustainable development.”

The Communiqué also earmarked the enhancing of the flow of information among CPS Members for better networking and coordination, International Peace Day celebration and the CPS will celebrate International Peace Day with a series of activities including March past, Radio and TV discussions and drama production.

At the same time, the third annual CPS/EED workshop was held in collaboration with the New African Research Development Agency (NARDA) with support from the German Protestant Development Service ZFD/EED which was established in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in May 2008 to help consolidate peace in the Sub region.

The CPS is comprised of the Christian Health Association of Liberia, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa, Liberia Council of Churches, Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Lutheran Development Service of Liberia, Lutheran World Federation of Liberia, Mankind Activities for Development, Accreditation Movement of Sierra Leone, New African Research Development Agency of Liberia, Sierra Leone Adult Education Association, Sierra Leone Opportunities Industrialization Centre and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Sierra Leone.