The government of Liberia and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) yesterday joined other countries around the globe to the launch the 2007/2008 Human Development report.
The launching ceremony which took place in the Ballroom of the Monrovia City hall brought together several UN agencies, government officials and students was held under the theme “Fighting Climate Change; Human Solidarity In A Divided World”.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the United Nation, UNDP Country Director Dominic Sam told the gathering that the Human Development Report is an independent report commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme and focuses on the human development impact of climate change.
The UNDP Executive maintained that this year’s human development report fundamentally agrees with the UN report and builds on the scientific basis provided by the IPPCC.
“Most importantly, the report uses this framework to understand the implications of climate change on the opportunities the world has at present and for the future of human development” he said.
He said the report advocates human solidarity, collective action and social justice as the keys to meeting the challenges posed by global warming, which is generally affecting several countries including Liberia.
The Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy, Dr. Eugene Shannon who delivered the keynote address and officially launched the 2007/2008 HDR said Global warming is an immediate threat to human development, particularly for the poor segments of society, and undermines the general livelihood of all and slowing progress towards the millennium development goals.
“Climate change would lead to widespread ecological disaster which poses threat to future generations by halting or reversing human development” the Liberian Minister added.
The Lands and Mines Minister spoke of five tipping points that specifically threaten human development around the globe of which Liberia is no exception: agricultural production and food security water stress and water insecurity, rising sea levels and exposure to climatic disasters, collapse of ecosystems and Health impacts.
Dr. Shannon informed the gathering that the greatest health impacts of global warming will be felt by the poor because of high levels of poverty and the limited capacity of public health systems in developing countries to respond.
With the negative consequences that global warming was posing to the entire universe, the report calls on developed countries to demonstrate leadership by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.
The 2007/2008 HDR recommended to rich and powerful counties to put climate change adaptation at the centre of international partnership on poverty reduction if they are to fight global warning.
LINLEA Hosts Security Executives Roundtable
Over forty law enforcement and security executives are scheduled to take part in the Security Executives Roundtable hosted by the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association on December 5-6, 2007 at the Ministry of Gender Conference Hall.
The Roundtable being held under the theme: Effective Security Governance: A Catalyst for Promoting Human Rights and the Rule of Law, is intended to bring together law enforcement and security executives to examine and discuss administrative and operational challenges related to crime control, the rule of law, and the management of law enforcement agencies, as well as reflect on the ongoing security sector reform program, with a view of identifying areas for improvement and intervention.
Key issues to be discussed at the roundtable include: Combating Crimes and Disorder in Liberia: Challenges of the Liberian Criminal Justice System, Liberia’s Security Sector Reform Program: Assessment of Progress and Challenges ,Promoting Public Confidence and Support for Institutions of Justice In Liberia:
The Way Forward ,Security Leadership in the 21st Century: Attaining and Sustaining Executive Success and Basic Principles of Managing Law Enforcement Institutions: Theory and Practice
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. Phillip A. Z. Banks, III, is expected to deliver the key Note Address. Other personalities expected to grace the opening session are Maryland Senator Gloria Musu Scott, UNPOL Commissioner Mohammed Alhassan, the Minister of Labor, Hon. Samuel Kofi-Woods, Mr. Wilfred E. Clark, former Chief of Police, and the National Security Advisor, Dr. H. Boima Fahnbiulleh, Jr.
Facilitators and presenters at the Roundtable include the Assistant Minister for Corrections, the Assistant Director of Police for CID, CIU and Interpol Affairs, the president of the Trial Judges Association of Liberia, Hon. Edwin Juah, member House Committee on National Security, Cecil B. Griffiths, Director, Center for Criminal Justice Research & Education, Hon Varlie M. Kieta, CEO, First Security, Inc. experts from UNPOL and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration, and Mr. Aloysius Toe of FOHRD.
The Directors of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Special Security Service, the Commissioner of Immigration & Naturalization and the Minster of National Security are expected to moderate and provide expert guidance to panel discussions while the deputy Directors for Administration for the Police, Fire Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, Special Security Service, and the Deputy Commissioner of Immigration for Administration will discuss management principles as applicable within their various institutions.
It's hoped that the Roundtable will encourage peer review, stronger coordination amongst security executives and a commitment in promoting sound managerial principles in the administration of law enforcement institutions.
|
