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Independent research & practical ideas for global prosperity
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Independent research & practical ideas for global prosperity
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August 19, 2008Upcoming CGD Event–Novelist Elma Shaw Discusses “Redemption Road”By Rebecca SchuttePlease join us on August 26, 2008 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm for the August CGD Global Development Matters Meet Up. Liberian novelist Elma Shaw will be present to discuss her new book Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia which takes place in Monrovia during the Charles Taylor administration. About the book: Shaw’s riveting debut is a story of recovery, atonement, and the continuing quest for peace and justice in a nation plagued by conflict and inequalities since its founding by free blacks and former American slaves. Written with compassion, honesty and clarity, Shaw’s novel helps us to finally begin to make sense of what has often been termed a “senseless” war. Hers is a new but mature voice that shows remarkable insight into both the causes of Liberia’s civil war, and the cure for healing the wounds and averting further conflict. Comment »August 6, 2008New Executive Mansion e-newsletterBy AdministratorMay 2008 marked the one year anniversary of the Executive Mansion website, a major source of information from the Presidency both in Liberia and the rest of the world. The launch of the website has made it possible for the Office of the President to keep Liberians at home and abroad abreast of the President and Vice President’s daily activities, domestic and international trips, policy objectives, successes and challenges. In commemoration of the 1st year anniversary of the website, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs/Public Affairs and Information Technology Department launched an Executive Mansion e-newsletter, an electronically transmitted review of the week. E-newsletters are transmitted every Friday, and are sent to government officials, local citizens, donor partners, Diaspora Liberians, and friends of Liberia. If you would like to subscribe to the e-newsletter, please e-mail me at rpailey@emansion.gov.lr. Comment »July 30, 2008LPRF 2008: Towards Rapid, Sustainable and Inclusive DevelopmentBy Rebecca SchutteWhile working in the Ministry of Finance this summer, I helped coordinate the 2008 Liberia Poverty Reduction Forum (LPRF). The LPRF gave Liberia the chance to present its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) to donors. The PRS is the document which will guide Liberia’s development for the next 3 years and is organized around 4 major pillars: security, economic revitalization, governance and rule of law, and social sectors (health and education). The PRS was put together using a participatory process in which all Liberians, from men to women, youth to adults, and market women to Ministers in all regions– and international partners had the opportunity to share their ideas and priorities for development with the Government of Liberia. In the PRS, the most important priority identified across the board was infrastructure which includes everything from roads, to bridges, ports, schools and health clinics. Infrastructure is central to development since it improves access to education, health, security and economic opportunities. 1 Comment »July 18, 2008Reflections on LiberiaBy Rebecca SchutteI recently returned to CGD after spending almost 7 weeks in Monrovia working in the Ministry of Finance. It was a great experience and I will quickly share some of my general impressions in this blog. First of all, I was blown away by the physical beauty of Liberia. It is a verdant country with lush forests and gorgeous sand beaches. I was also struck by the sense of optimism and hope that the Liberians display even after enduring almost two decades of war, fear and hardship. Of course things cannot change overnight, but Liberia is on the move! I take that back- some things do change that quickly! On several mornings on the way into work, side roads previously riddled with deep potholes were literally repaired overnight! There were many construction projects, freshly painted stores and I even saw a billboard erected in the span of an afternoon. 1 Comment »July 15, 2008Déjà Vu after Nine Years: How My Devotion to a Foreign Sports Franchise Affects Me DailyBy Rebecca SchutteOn 21 May 2008, Manchester United Football Club of England won the European Champions League trophy by beating fellow premiership rival Chelsea in a breathtaking penalty shoot-out after regular time ended in a 1-1 draw. That victory secured for United her third Champions League cup, having won her second in 1999. When United’s Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar saved a penalty from Nicolas Anelka, a French striker playing for Chelsea, I could not have been at a better place to celebrate than in a crowded video club steaming with body heat and sweat around the ELWA Junction area, in Paynesville, Liberia. This is a place where everyone is religiously devoted to one sport: FOOTBALL! Admittedly, I thought United was going to lose when Cristiano Renaldo penalty was saved. And as John Terry, Chelsea’s captain, approached to kick his team fifth penalty, I stopped watching and called Andria, my wife, who was at home listening to live commentary on BBC. Andria and I agreed that it would be best if we watch the game apart. I often overreact in my United hysteria or despair. And then I wonder how I would face up to my friend Gray, a loquacious, United-hating-trash-talking Chelsea fanatic. Finally, I thought of the miracle of 1999, when United snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring two quick goals in the space of two minutes against Bayern Munich, a German team. And then the miracle came—Terry missed! Comment »July 15, 2008Deja-Vu after Nine Years: How My Devotion to a Foreign Sports Franchise Affects Me DailyBy AdministratorOn 21 May 2008, Manchester United Football Club of England won the European Champions League trophy by beating fellow premiership rival Chelsea in a breathtaking penalty shoot-out after regular time ended in a 1-1 draw. That victory secured for United her third Champions League cup, having won her second in 1999. When United’s Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar saved a penalty from Nicolas Anelka, a French striker playing for Chelsea, I could not have been at a better place to celebrate than in a crowded video club steaming with body heat and sweat around the ELWA Junction area, in Paynesville, Liberia. This is a place where everyone is religiously devoted to one sport: FOOTBALL! Admittedly, I thought United was going to lose when Cristiano Renaldo penalty was saved. And as John Terry, Chelsea’s captain, approached to kick his team fifth penalty, I stopped watching and called Andria, my wife, who was at home listening to live commentary on BBC. Andria and I agreed that it would be best if we watch the game apart. I often overreact in my United hysteria or despair. And then I wonder how I would face up to my friend Gray, a loquacious, United-hating-trash-talking Chelsea fanatic. Finally, I thought of the miracle of 1999, when United snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring two quick goals in the space of two minutes against Bayern Munich, a German team. And then the miracle came- Terry missed! Comment »April 2, 2008Missing the One-Armed ManBy AdministratorYes, it’s true, I’d like to be able to vacation in Vegas. But that doesn’t seem like a good blog entry for CGD, so I thought I’d write about something else instead. Though if anyone’s looking for a blackjack buddy and has the scratch for the short hop from Monrovia, give a shout A few days ago, I was in one of Monrovia’s nicer hotels, using the wireless internet to get some work done (by which I mean checking out all my buddies’ facebook updates and reading stories on the NCAA tournament. I’m putting my Liberty on Izzo’s boys as the sleeper pick). I looked over at a dude a few tables over, and I could swear I recognized him – eventually I realized he was the husband of one of my colleagues, a truly wonderful woman who is really one of the engines driving things forward at the Ministry Finance. So I took a couple glances at him to be sure, then wandered over and said hello. 2 Comments » |
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