Carter Center team arrives in Liberia

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has announced the arrival into the country of a two-member delegation from the Cater Center on a week-long visit to renew support for efforts to advance the passage of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Carter Center Access to Information Manager/Associate Director, Laura Neuman and Senior Project Associate on Access to Information Initiative, Sarah Dougherty, arrived in the County Sunday, November 15 and are expected to meet with stakeholders to learn more about the state of the draft law and provide observations in light of emerging international standards and the way forward.
A PUL statement issued in Monrovia Sunday said the delegation will share international experience and lessons learned regarding the establishment of access to information regimes in separate discussions with Government officials, including Lawmakers, civil society actors and the media.
The visit is a follow-up to similar mission in October 2008 to share thoughts on the bill and support for its enactment.
The Freedom of Information Act was one of three bills submitted to the Legislature in April 2008 by stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and the media community. The Bills have been locked up in committee room for well over one and a half years.
The Lawmakers have given assurances of the passage of the bill following their annual break.
Meanwhile, PUL President Peter M. Quaqua is off to Brussels, Belgium to participate in a roundtable on the Socio-Economic integration of ex-combatants.
The PUL president was invited by the organizers, International Alert to give his personal perspectives on “The Impact of Regional and International Dynamics of Reintegration Programs for ex-combatants.”