resolution

Liberia

2016 Book of Resolutions, #6084

Our Lord is great and so strong! God’s knowledge can’t be grasped! The Lord helps the poor, but throws the wicked down on the dirt! (Psalm 147:5-6)

Violence will no longer resound throughout your land, nor devastation or destruction within your borders. You will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. (Isaiah 60:18)

In 2005, the people of Liberia “seized the moment” to elect new political leaders after a 14-year civil war that left the country in ruins. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist, was elected as the first woman president of an African country. The people of Liberia expect the new government to tackle the national ills of bad governance, corruption, poverty, illiteracy, diseases, unemployment, and mediocrity.

During the 14-year civil war more than 270,000 Liberians were killed and over 500,000 were forced to flee their homes. Entire communities were uprooted. Economic activity declined sharply. Poverty increased sharply. Agricultural production dropped as people fled their farms. Exports nearly ceased. Mining and timber industries shut down. The infrastructure of the country was destroyed. Government finances collapsed. More than 75 percent of Liberians now live below the poverty line of $1 a day. Unemployment is as high as 85 percent.

Since President Sirleaf’s inauguration in January 2006, Liberia has begun the long journey to recovery. The new government has resettled tens of thousands of refugees and begun training new security forces, increased government revenues, partially restored electricity and water to part of the capital, substantially increased primary school enrollment, and has begun to rebuild roads and attempts have been made for the rebuilding of other critical infrastructure.

The government developed a plan for the reconstruction and development of the country. A key element of the plan is restoring and strengthening basic human rights and further empowering the Liberian people. The reconstruction and development strategy is based on four pillars: 1) expanding peace and security; 2) revitalizing economic activity; 3) strengthening governance and the rule of law; and 4) rebuilding infrastructure and providing basic services. The success of the plan must be based on how well it alleviates poverty and empowers people.

In 2014, Ebola devastated Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other countries in West Africa. It killed almost half of the people it affected. Fear gripped the countries. Government offices, businesses, and schools were closed. Streets were completely deserted. Economic development was stalled. The entire health sector collapsed, thus leaving the population vulnerable.

Given this dreadful disease we, as United Methodists, remain steadfast in our support of the Liberian people in their journey for a new future. We commit ourselves to:

support the peoples and mission of the Liberian people through Advance Special giving, covenant relationships between annual conferences, and through other mission funding. We also urge all Methodist and United Methodist peoples to join in prayer and solidarity for the people, leaders, and churches of Liberia;
urge governments to provide economic assistance for reconstruction and development to the government of Liberia and should hold multinational corporations and other big businesses operating in Liberia accountable for any breach of national and international laws with respect to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
support and strengthen Liberian civil society so that all Liberians will be able to fully participate in public life, where government is at the service of its people, and where human rights and the rule of law is respected;
urge the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations to join in the effort to help stabilize and rebuild Liberia;
provide humanitarian assistance, including medical services for Ebola, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, food, and water;
provide financial assistance to pastors and their families;
rebuild churches, parsonages, and church-related institutions;
repatriate, resettle, and provide shelter for displaced persons and war victims;
assist young people to become responsible citizens by devel- oping their skills in career development through the resources of counseling, vocational and general education;
engage in reconciliation and healing at the grassroots level between and among various ethnic groups;
train pastors to be agents of reconciliation, peace, and healing;
set up counseling and education programs to help children, women, and others traumatized by war; and
urge multinational corporations investing in Liberia to be good corporate citizens by respecting labor laws, training workers, protecting the environment, and supporting value-added production (i.e., rubber products) to the country’s present exports.

The United Methodist Church in Liberia is committed to prioritizing ministries on human rights, peace-building, conflict resolution, and reconciliation. We stand with you on this mission.

ADOPTED 2008
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2016
RESOLUTION #6084, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #6064, 2008 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 165A, B, D.

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