April 12, 2024 – Monrovia, Liberia: On April 11th, key players from various sectors gathered at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia for a significant inception workshop, marking the commencement of developing Liberia’s Climate Change Learning Strategy. This foundational meeting also included a comprehensive review of the Background report and stakeholder analysis, essential in crafting a robust climate change learning framework.
The workshop brought together an eclectic mix of stakeholders, including delegates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), Ministry of Education, the Forestry Development Authority, and civil society organizations, government ministries and development partners. Notably, Hon. Sam P. Jallah, Representative for District #3, Bomi County, was among the legislative attendees, underscoring the political support for climate education.
Participants engaged in a discussion during the workshop.
In a series of high-level remarks, the Deputy Executive Director of the EPA, representatives from the British Embassy, LIPA, the Ministry of Education, the University of Liberia, and UN CC:Learn highlighted the urgency and importance of developing a cohesive learning strategy on climate change.
Teddy P. Taylor, the ACE National Focal point, delineated the meeting’s objectives and the anticipated outcomes, setting a clear direction for the proceedings. Lisa Maina of UN CC: Learn contributed insights with her presentation on the international context of climate change learning and UN CC:Learn’s support to countries to advance climate education, training and public awareness.
A key presentation by Dr. Emmanuel T. Olatunji, the National Coordinator of Strategy Development, outlined the proposed methodology to guide the strategy’s formulation. Christopher Kabah, the lead consultant on the assessments, also provided a detailed overview of the background reports and stakeholder analysis.
Presentation during the workshop.
Dr. Emmanuel Tachie-Obeng, Ghana’s ACE Focal Point and a UN CC:Learn Ambassador, shared Ghana’s experiences in implementing a climate change learning strategy, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for the Liberian context.
The workshop culminated in proactive group sessions, where participants deliberated and identified national priorities, a vision, and objectives. These will act as the cornerstone for subsequent needs assessments, vital for informing the development of a tailored climate change learning strategy for Liberia.
This meeting represents a significant step in Liberia’s journey toward integrating climate change education into its national fabric, aiming to empower citizens with knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.