Lawmakers at the National Legislature will today (Monday) brainstorm on Liberia's long term development strategy, a local daily has learned.

The Government of Liberia has begun crafting a long-term growth and development strategy for Liberia that will succeed the current strategy, the Lift Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), which concludes in June 2011. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs and the Governance Commission has launched nationwide consultations with stakeholders on developing a new vision for Liberia to replace the 1821 vision of "Christianizing and civilizing" Liberia.

To be called "Liberia Rising 2030", the idea is to solicit opinions on the concept of a new vision for Liberia and gather recommendations from stakeholders who have been challenged to take ownership of their country's future.

The release said the first in the series of the broad-based consultations was held Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Paynesville Townhall with the Civil Service Organizations and Religious community. Interest groups and professional organizations participated in the Thursday, July 29, 2010 session while the students and youth groups as well as the opposition political parties converged on Friday.

On Tuesday (tomorrow), the Ministry of Planning and the Governance Commission will take the consultation meeting to Gbarnga, Bong County where county officials including superintendents and the traditional council will meet to discuss the future of Liberia.

Former Liberian interim President Dr. Amos Sawyer, in his presentation declared that genuine reconciliation among Liberians is portal to Liberia's national visioning process. The Governance Commission Chairman expressively noted that one of the major socio-political goals of a new vision for Liberia is having a strong sense of patriotism.

He called on Liberians to develop a strong sense of citizenship, unity and cohesion. "We should consolidate institutions of good governance, reduce disparities and marginalization; and ensure equity through policies of "growth with development and strengthen commitment to moral, ethical and accountable governance as obligation of government, private sector and citizens," said Dr. Sawyer.

The Chairman urged that in developing a new Liberian vision and mission, the people should transcend competing historical identities: "Americo-Liberian" or "Congo" versus "indigenous" or "native" and develop sense of common or shared identity.

Also making presentation on the prospect of economic growth and development in Liberia, Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs Amara Konneh said there is a need for a national vision and long-term plan for growth and development in Liberia. He challenged Liberians to join in the effort to shape Liberia's destiny. "Together we can develop Liberia and create wealth for everybody," he told the audience.

Minister Konneh noted that the current environment of sustained peace, visionary leadership and political stability presents a unique opportunity for Liberia to transform from a low income to a middle income status consistent with sub-Saharan African standards by 2030.

Liberia has emerged from the crisis. In 2005, Liberia developed an ambitious 3-year plan, the Lift Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), to raise the country out of poverty. The PRS became the center piece of the government's efforts to move the country out of an emergency and humanitarian assistance mode to a development mode. Strong government commitment to, and significant support from development partners in support of, PRS implementation have helped achieve peace and security, a stable macroeconomic environment, and good progress in instituting key reforms, all of which have contributed to strong economic growth over the past several years.

To embark on a sustainable economic and social development path, the government is keen to develop a long-term development strategy. The proposed 18-year development plan aims to transform Liberia into a broad-based middle-income country by the year 2030, leaving no Liberians behind. The effort will transcend administrations and require the strategy be pragmatic, comprehensive and inclusive to ensure that the gains in economic, social, and political opportunities are shared by the population, the release concluded.