Monrovia, Liberia – The Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (NIMD) has equipped twenty representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and media institutions with advanced skills to effectively monitor the national legislature.
The intensive three-day training, held from September 10-12, marks a strategic intervention to boost legislative transparency and citizen engagement. Funded by the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden under the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, the initiative directly addresses Liberia’s historically low rankings in global openness indexes.
From Knowledge to Action:
Cllr. Oscar Bloh, NIMD Country Director, set a urgent tone in his opening remarks. He championed transparency, participation, and inclusion as the non-negotiable pillars of a functioning democracy but warned against inaction. “This training is an investment in Liberia’s democratic integrity,” stated Cllr. Bloh. “However, if the knowledge gained is not translated into concrete action, it will amount to a waste of both time and resources. We must move from the classroom to the community, from observation to impact.”
He underscored the critical need for this initiative by revealing that Liberia ranked among the lowest globally in the 2022 Open Parliamentary Report and was absent from the most recent index, creating a concerning gap in public accountability. A key highlight of the event was an announcement from Mildred Siryon, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, who delivered a presentation on “The Legislative Process in Liberia: From Bill to Law.”
Ms. Siryon revealed that the Legislature has officially approved the creation of a **Civil Society Desk**—a direct result of a recommendation she made after a NIMD-facilitated peer-exchange with the Parliament of Sierra Leone. This institutionalized channel is designed to foster direct and sustained dialogue between lawmakers and the public.
“This desk will serve as a vital liaison, ensuring that the voices of civil society are not just heard but are integrated into the heart of our legislative process,” Siryon announced. This development provides a tangible pathway for the trainees to apply their new monitoring skills.
International Backing for a Stronger Civil Society
The international community’s support for these efforts was unequivocal. Dr. Anna Brzozowska, Team Leader for Governance at the EU Delegation to Liberia, praised the country’s ongoing reforms and lauded the critical watchdog role of CSOs. “The European Union values civil society contributions across all sectors,” Dr. Brzozowska said. “We are currently developing a new Roadmap for Civil Society Engagement to better respond to Liberia’s needs.”
She emphasized that as Liberia works to improve its business climate, a robust civil society is essential to **monitoring investments, safeguarding labor rights, and ensuring environmental protection** for all Liberians. The training curriculum combined theoretical knowledge with practical tools for tracking legislative activities, analyzing bills, and reporting findings effectively.
Participants left not only with enhanced skills but also as part of a newly forged network committed to coordinated and innovative legislative monitoring.
This initiative, implemented by NIMD under the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project in partnership with UN Women, signals a collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance system in Liberia.
