Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations

Migration and Development Series

Diasporas and Development in Conflict-Affected Countries

Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia

Panel Discussion

November 6, 2007

New York, N.Y

Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia OVERVIEW •BACKGROUND –War –Results of War

•CHALLENGES –Political –Social –Structural

•OPPORTUNITIES –Economic –Technological –Capacity –Intellectual Property

•STRATEGY –Incentives for Return –Short Term Professional Tours –DDI

•THE WAY FORWARD

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia BACKGROUND KEY NATIONAL INDICATORS Population - 3.4 million (44% Under age 15) Literacy Rate (Average) – 37% Unemployment – 80% Life Expectancy – 48 years Infant Mortality - 235 per 1000 live births HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rate – 5 to 8% Religion - Traditional/ Christian / Muslim 09/11/2007 6:15 PM

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia BACKGROUND

IMPACT OF CIVIL CRISIS •Estimated Fatalities: 200 Thousand •Estimated Displaced: 1 Million •Estimated Size of Diaspora: 450 Thousand Diaspora - USA: 250 Thousand –Concentrated in New York, Providence, RI, Philadelphia,PA, Md./DC, Atlanta, GA, Minn, MN

Diaspora – Rest of the World: 200 Thousand –Concentrated in Africa and Europe

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia BACKGROUND Liberian Refugees in Neighboring States (as of 1 Jan 2005) • • • • • •

Ghana – 42,466 Sierra Leone – 57,704 Cote d’Ivoire – 74,180 Gambia – 770 Guinea – 89,408 Nigeria – 5,260

Return of Liberian Refugees (as of 18 June 2005) • •

Over 100,000 spontaneous returnees 22,145 assisted returns to Liberia since 1 Oct 04

Two Categories of Liberians comprise the Diaspora • •

“Normal Migration” – Pre-Civil Crises Direct result of the Civil Crises

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia

CHALLENGES •Absorptive Capacity –Creating institutional, systemic, environmental and structural paradigms to effectively “digest” an “influx” of skilled, affluent and disciplined returning professionals

•Political –Development of an integrated political base focusing on national factors •Buy-in by political opposition •Full and active participation of Civil Society •Avoid alienation of Diaspora and create effective means for its participation

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia CHALLENGES

•Economic –Development of new and creative strategies through which the Diaspora can positively impact economic stability and sustainable growth •Remittances •Capacity/Expertise; Intellectual Property •Investment

•Social –Developing and Maintaining an “Open Arms” and “Welcome Back” mentality by compatriots that “Stayed Behind” –Provide an enabling social environment that would spur the resolve to return and “tough it out” –Turning the paradigm to reflect a “One Liberia” approach that every Liberian regardless of where they are globally, “counts” and can make a difference 09/11/2007 6:15 PM

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia CHALLENGES

•Structural –Providing infrastructure and vital support services that would make returning palatable •Housing •Health Care Delivery Systems •Schools

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia OPPORTUNITIES

•Economic –Major source of funds to the masses through remittances (Western Union, Moneygram, etc.) •’04 – $53.5M: ’05 - $22.6M: ’06 - $63.1M: Sept YTD ’07 - $44.8M

–Valuable resource of external investment leading to development

•Technological –Introduction of valuable incremental technological knowledge, practices, and procedures –Presentation of novel methods, skill sets, and techniques required for public and private sectors efficiency

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia OPPORTUNITIES

•Capacity –Expansion of the desperately needed knowledge base to shore up capacity in all areas –Interjection of desirable behaviors that would reinforce and strengthen National mentality (work ethic, time management, self-reliance, etc.)

•Intellectual Property –Establishment of the foundation for the development and retention of intellectual rights especially in developmental areas

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia

OPPORTUNITIES

•Political Leverage –Utilization of the viable political constituency inherent in the Diaspora to leverage Liberia’s social, political and economic interest within the U.S. political environment •A significant number of the Liberian Diaspora are registered voters and tax payers •Have the attention of politicians and policy makers

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia STRATEGY

•Incentives to encourage return to Liberia –SES Program –TOKTEN Program –External Support of Short and Medium Term Expert/Consultants Arrangements

•Short-Term Professional Tours –Intense short-term provision of critical services in Liberia •Medical practitioners •Specialized trainers •Other Areas of expertise

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia STRATEGY

•LDDI Initiative –Liberian Diaspora Direct Investment Initiative •Program initiated by the Liberian Mission at the UN designed to spur direct investment into Liberia by Liberians in the Diaspora •Partnerships with professional Fund Management/Investment entities –Entity’s success indicated by track record which is public domain –Provide matching fund facility –Executes due diligence and thorough analysis of potential investment projects –Over site/supervisory

•Liberian Diaspora Investor –Diversify small portion of personal portfolio to designated fund management entity for capital investment in Liberia – Provides return on investment while contributing to economic development in Liberia

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia THE WAY FORWARD

•Continuously Create Effective Partnerships –Organized Institutions within the Diaspora –Multilateral Institutions –Bilateral Partners –Private Sector Partners

•Continuing to Insure Enabling Environment –Institutional Capacities –Infrastructural Development –Predictability (risks mitigation) –Political integration

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Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations Promotion and Diaspora Engagement in Post-Conflict Liberia

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