The center’s work is founded in an appreciation of the practical problems that undermine unfettered media practice and free speech in conflict situations and peace processes, and the need to strengthen their work through the development of capacity to understand, anticipate, plan and forecast holistic solutions to conflicts.

CEMESP’s media consultancy targets mainly institutions involved actively in the search for peace and helping to solve Liberia’s development problems as a way of preventing a relapse into conflict.

Int’l Dev. And Capacity Building

CEMESP supports the institutional development of the media (both traditional and modern) in the area of peace building and conflict resolution mechanisms. The center has conducted training for more than 200 journalists, traditional communicators and local leaders across the country in the area of peace building and development since 2000.

In 2000, CEMESP developed a training manual for use in the training of Liberian journalists and local traditional leaders and communicators with skills in peace building. This exercise was undertaken for the Liberia Media Project, a partnership of the Press Union of Liberia, International Alert and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. CEMESP was also involved with providing training across country to local chiefs and traditional leaders, staff of community radio stations and community groups.

Research and Advocacy

Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Liberia in Accra, Ghana, (August 2003), CEMESP undertook a survey to gauge the level of public perception about the participation of the Liberia media in the implementation of the peace accord by nominating a junior minister to the transitional government.

In March 2006, CEMESP conducted a research on Religious Broadcasting in Liberia. The research was commissioned by the Panos Institute West Africa.

Training

As part of its role in improving the capacity of the Liberian media, CEMESP has hosted a number of training workshops with various organizations. These have included:

Sports Writers Association of Liberia
Provision of peace building skills for sports reporters. (2003)

Advocacy
Active in Media Development Clearing House (Liberia)

Membership with Press Union of Liberia, West African Journalists Association and recently admitted to membership in the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) (2006)

Consultancy

Secretariat, Liberia Media Law and Policy Reform Process

PANOS Institute West Africa

World Association of Community Radio (AMARC)

West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)

Foundation for African Development Aid (ADA)

Foundation for Human Rights and Democracy (FOHRD)