Activities

Outreach Programme carried out at the Fire Stone Community The outreach was carried out by a cross section of the current voluntary team assigned to the Earth Charter Youth Group Sierra Leone (ECYG-SL) The exercise involved visiting institutions of learning and communities in Freetown. The purpose of this outreach was to motivate the school-going children and youths to be informed about the EARTH CHARTER Initiative, its principles, existence and to open up its membership base within the Freetown vicinity, so as to help get the input of other members and enable them contribute in consolidating the EARTH CHARTER. It was also meant to reinforce the planned on-going sensitization campaigns about this new Initiative and ways in which the community can understand what the EARTH CHARTER Initiative stands for and to solicit means through which young people can get on board the activities of the EARTH CHARTER Initiative in the country to better themselves and their communities. The outreach started with a talk from the ECYG-SL Coordinator at the Firestone Community Centre, situated at Mountain Court, Central Freetown. During his talk the ECYG-SL Coordinator, Sylvanus Murray, heartily expressed appreciations for the opportunity accorded the ECYG-SL by members of the Firestone community and the opportunity to address a battery of young and hard working youths. Among other things, Mr. Murray said that the EARTH CHARTER is an Initiative of the people, for the people and by the people. And so establishing the fact that the Earth Charter does not belong to any government, organization or individual; it belongs to all. The ECYG-SL Coordinator spent over thirty minutes in explaining all about the Earth Charter Initiative. After his talk the floor was turned over to the members of the Firestone organization for questioning session. Mr. Cornelius Deveaux who is Chairman of the Firestone Community and also the General Secretary of ECYG-SL, expressed delight for the presence of the Coordinator and other representatives of the ECYG-SL, and the meaningful presentation of the Coordinator. He informed colleagues present at the event that from the presentation, it is clear that the EARTH CHARTER Initiative seeks the interests of all and also work for the preservation and enhancement of the dignity of people and their environment, the mission of ECYG to our community is unique for the message and it is the first time that the organization has benefited from such an opportunity. He concluded by encouraging members present to endorse the Initiative and be on board the activities of the ECYG-SL. Buttressing the short comments of Mr. Deveaux, another member Mr. Malik Kamara of Firestone spoke on the importance of youths coming together to contribute to post war national development, using the principles and programs of the EARTH CHARTER Initiative in Sierra Leone, as the country is coming from a brutal civil war. He reiterated the importance of maintaining the peace we have got and encouraged members of the organization to forgive, reconcile and live in peace among themselves and the rest of the community. He encouraged his colleagues to think seriously about working with the ECYG-SL in the country. He expressed appreciation on behalf of his colleagues and assured the entire ECYG-SL membership of their continued cooperation. After the presentation, few members shared their views on the ECYG-SL and the role they can play as young people in realizing its aims and objectives at national level. Other members made brief comments, whilst others also asked questions and were responded to adequately by the ECYG-SL Coordinator. The loud applause that followed the session vividly illustrated the productive nature of the venture. The Secretary General of the organization thanked the team and the ECYG-SL for a job well done and encouraged them to continue visiting their organization to carry out similar sensitization programmes. Sensitization of Ex-combatant Trainees & PEACELINKS Staff Eight staff members of PEACELINKS and over ten trainees of the organization's vocational skills training centre were sensitized about the EARTH CHARTER Initiative at global level and its existence as a network in Sierra Leone. The opportunity came through an outreach programme organized by the Earth Charter Youth Group Sierra Leone (ECYG-SL) in collaboration with senior officials of PEACELINKS. Addressing former fighters in Sierra Leone, at the basement of the PEACELINKS headquarters in Freetown, the Earth Charter Youth Group Sierra Leone (ECYG-SL) Coordinator Sylvanus Murray told them that as young men, who are currently being disarmed, demobilized and are now on the verge of been reintegrated into society, it is of vital importance that they are informed about issues that are happening around them, both at national and international levels. Afterwards the main cause for one of the most brutal conflicts in history that the country experienced was the lack of information. He went on to say that when people are been informed they can be also empowered to participate in issues of development. Mr. Murray said that this sensitization event was for these former fighters to know about what the Earth Charter Initiative stands for, and for them to be involved in making contribution to further the aims and aspirations of the Earth Charter in Sierra Leone and at global level. He added that as young people who are experienced with series of other issues around them they could contribute in one way or the other in several projects of the Earth Charter. Explaining about the objectives of the EATRH CHARTER Mr. Murray highlighted the following points that the Earth Charter promotes a worldwide dialogue on shared values; develop the Earth Charter through a democratic process: peoples treaty-awareness, commitment, implementation of values and principles and seek endorsement of the UN General Assembly as a soft law. After his brief presentation, trainees asked few questions including the importance and benefit of the Earth Charter to young people in Sierra Leone. Responding Mr. Murray said that the Earth Charter has series of important roles to play in society and much of these will be realized, when people like the trainees themselves get involved in practicing the principles of the Earth Charter, and as for the benefits, it can help young people to involve in projects that can help to develop and safe guard their communities. He concluded by saying that the Earth Charter Youth Group membership is open to all irrespective of tribe, colour, race or sex. If the EARTH CHARTER is to succeed in Sierra Leone, it will definitely need the assistance and input of young people in the country, who can be part of the EARTH CHARTER Youth Group. The Earth Charter Youth Group in Sierra Leone (ECYG-SL) he said meet on Wednesdays at 17:00 pm to discuss the way forward. In another development both junior and senior members of PEACELINKS benefited from a two-hour sensitization drive about the EARTH CHARTER Initiative. Staff members of Peacelinks and the ECYG-SL Coordinator again discussed the possibility for endorsement and future collaboration. The presentation of series of publication about the EARTH CHARTER Initiative forms the high points of the sensitization.