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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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Rebecca joined CGD in June, 2007, and works with Steve Radelet on the Liberia and aid effectiveness programs. Full BioShowing posts on the blog. View author posts on: Upcoming CGD Event–Novelist Elma Shaw Discusses “Redemption Road”August 19, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in News, UncategorizedPlease 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 »LPRF 2008: Towards Rapid, Sustainable and Inclusive DevelopmentJuly 30, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in News, UncategorizedWhile 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 »Reflections on LiberiaJuly 18, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in News, UncategorizedI 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 »Déjà Vu after Nine Years: How My Devotion to a Foreign Sports Franchise Affects Me DailyJuly 15, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in NewsOn 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 »Here’s your chance to become a fellow in Liberia!March 27, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in UncategorizedWe have begun recruiting for the next round of Liberia fellows who will head out to Monrovia this summer! Are you a young professional with a Masters degree (e.g., an MBA, MPP, MPH, or a law degree) and one year of related experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least three years of related experience? Are you flexible, energetic, willing to work long hours and do both influential and mundane tasks in a challenging environment with constrained resources? The current Fellows provide support to senior Liberian government officials in the realms of policy, speechwriting, ministerial coordination and administration (particularly in areas related to economics and finance). You can read about their experiences on this blog. This round, we are recruiting at least one person with a background and interest in generating economic and employment opportunities for young women. Liberians are especially encouraged to apply! Comment »Conor Hartman Quoted in the Media (Again)!February 22, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in UncategorizedIn this blog posted by Kevin Corke, a NBC News White House Correspondent, Conor Hartman speaks about optimism and progress in Liberia. Comment »Scott Family Fellow Conor Hartman Featured in the MediaFebruary 22, 2008By Rebecca Schutte in UncategorizedConor Hartman, a Scott Family Fellow working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was featured in this article from America.gov, on Feb. 21, 2008. American Volunteer Helps Liberians Realize a Better Life Monrovia, Liberia — “Liberia is the kind of country I wanted to come to as an American to be of assistance,†development specialist Conor D. Hartman says. Hartman, a Scott Family Liberia Fellow, is in the country for one year to make a difference as a special adviser to the Liberian Ministry of Internal Affairs. He has been in Liberia for seven months and has worked elsewhere in Africa, including southern Sudan. Hartman told America.gov he thinks Americans “have an obligation to help move the Liberians from a long civil war situation into an era of stability, economic growth and development. If you look at countries around the world that are emerging from conflict, Liberia is the most promising of all, in no small part because you have the best leadership team and most qualified president, with a very capable Cabinet.†Comment » |
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