BOARD OF ADVISORS OF NMJD
WESTERN AREA
Mrs.
Juliana Ganda (Chairperson)
Administrative Officer, FORUT
Abu A. Brima (Secretary)
Executive Director, NMJD
Mohamed Kanu
Operations Manager, National Petroleum
Umu
Sarah Sankoh
Councillor, Western Area Rural District Council Waterloo
SOUTHERN REGION
Dr. Braima Josiah
Lecturer, Njala University College, Bo Campus
Mrs. Edna Caulker
Lecturer, Njala University College, Bo Campus
EASTERN REGION
Chief Kenneth Sahr Tommy
Section Chief, Yengema
Mrs. Marian Moijueh
Assistant Manager
National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT)
Eastern Region
Rev Fr Edward Bockarie
Vicar General, Diocese of Kenema
Catholic Mission, Sierra Leone
NORTHERN REGION
P. C. Bai Shebora Kassagna II
Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom
MANAGEMENT TEAM OF NMJD
Abu A. Brima
Executive Director
Mrs. Josephine Koroma
Deputy Executive Director
Mrs. Alice A. Macarthy
Human Resource Manager
Mrs. Aminata Kelly-Lamin
Programme Director, Mining and Extractives Programme
Paul Lansana Koroma
Programme Director, Peace and Security Programme
Shirley
S. Simbo
Programme Director, Youth Empowerment Programme
Joseph
Pokawa
Programme Director, Governance and Accountability Programme
Patrick
L. Tongu
District Manager, Kono District
Khalidu M. Abu
Financial Controller
Sallieu Kamara
Director, Knowledge Management and Communication
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND OF NMJD
The Network Movement for Justice and Development
(NMJD) is a national civil society organization. It was established in 1988
in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, by nine former members of the Young Christian
Students (YCS) Movement with the aim of working towards building a just and
self–reliant Sierra Leone, where the marginalized and exploited would be equipped
with the necessary skills and knowledge and empowered to take control of their
own lives.
The inspiration to establish the
Movement was borne out of the unflinching commitment of the founders to the
total liberation of the poor and marginalized in society. The moving force
in the lives of these young YCSers was their collective commitment to the
preferential ‘option for the poor’ orientation and the ‘See, Judge, Act’ methodology
of ‘Training for Transformation.’
Desirous to make this ‘option’ concrete
and remain faithful to their orientation as well as put into practice the
‘Review of Life’ methodology, formal and informal reflection sessions brought
them together to establish a common vision and mission/agenda.
The common focus is on empowering
the people as well as strengthening their capacity to build a free, just and
democratic society where there is respect for human rights and sustainable
development for the benefit of all. It also facilitates the promotion of the
collective strength of people, fosters justice and builds the capacities of
civil society organizations in solidarity with all those struggling for empowerment,
free and democratic society as well as sustainable livelihoods.
NMJD is, therefore, generally committed
to promoting good governance, participatory democratic practices, public accountability,
human rights, gender equity and justice, social and economic justice, and
a culture of peace, among others.
Within two years of awareness raising and community
animation in Kenema district, eastern region, the Movement soon spread to
all the other districts in the eastern region and, later, to Bo and Moyamba
districts in the southern region. Today, NMJD has extended its programmes
and activities to cover the entire country.
The Network Movement for Justice
and Development is a Sierra Leonean civil society organization that engages
in advocacy and strengthens/enhances the capacity of civil society organizations
to effectively engage women, men, children, communities, government and other
actors for the transformation of society.
VISION
A just and self-reliant society
(Sierra Leone) where women, men, children and communities are conscientized
and live in dignity without fear and discrimination especially on grounds
of sex, race, faith, socio-economic and political status.
CORE VALUES
Commitment to the transformation of society.
We believe in resilience, perseverance
and motivation to work together in pursuance of genuine and progressive change
in society.
Participation and inclusiveness at all levels
We believe in the promotion of a
culture of inclusion and participation of all partners and stakeholders.
Mutual accountability and transparency
We recognize the importance of mutual
accountability and transparency as a practice, which promote trust and sustainable
development without discrimination. We regard these as values that NMJD is
obliged not only to promote through its work and those it interacts with,
but a culture to be role modeled for others.
Respect for individual’s dignity
We recognize the dignity of every
person and strive to listen to the views and opinions of others and promote
and protect this dignity in all our activities.
Gender equity and justice
We recognize the value of women's
contribution to society and that this value has been demeaned and undermined
for a long time. We thus seek to raise their status and empower them not only
to be recognized, but to speak up and be heard. We believe that this can best
be achieved by women, together with men, who are sensitive to and aware of
the unequal treatment and injustice suffered by women.
We commit to promote such instruments like CEDAW etc.
Self-determination
We believe that all persons have
a right to self-determination and, as such, ensure that this right is promoted
and protected in all aspects of our work.
Teamwork and collectivism
We believe that by working in teams
we are able to support one another and thus create greater impacts in our
work.
Reflection, learning and sharing
We believe in socio-cultural and
economic transformation at all levels as the basic solution to poverty in
Mutuality in partnership
We believe in partnership as a strong
means to realizing our mission and vision. We therefore believe that all stakeholders
(primary and secondary) should be involved in decision-making and implementation
of all NMJD’s activities. “Mutuality in Development Cooperation” is our
watch phrase.
Solidarity with the poor and those struggling for change
in society
We believe in solidarity with all
those with whom we think alike and remaining steadfast in our commitment to
stand by the poor in their struggle to address the root causes of poverty.
DISTINCTIVENESS
The Network Movement for Justice
and Development (NMJD) aspires to continue to be the vanguard for social change
by facilitating the mobilization and organization of social movements and
enhancing their capacity to engage at all levels for socio-economic, cultural
and political transformation using innovative approaches and promoting alternative
value systems.
PARTNERSHIPS,
NETWORKS
The
Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) realized right from the
outset that there is value in coalition building, networking, mobilizing and
enhancing the capacity of civil society groups and communities to be able
to determine their own destiny. It was in recognition of this fact that NMJD
has always encouraged and aspired to not only play a vanguard role in the
formation and maintenance of coalitions and networks, but also working closely
with them so as to maximize their impact. Key among them are the following:
Civil
Society Task Teams on the
The
Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) engaged the Poverty Reduction
Strategy Process way back in November 2003; one of the key outcomes of this
engagement was the emergence of regional Civil Society Task Teams on the
Civil
Society Task Forces on Mining
The launch
in Canada by Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) and in Sierra Leone by the Network
Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) of the research report entitled:
The
Heart of the Matter: Sierra Leone’s Diamonds and Human Security in January
2000 which traced the uncontestable link between diamonds and some of the
bloody wars in Africa prompted the need for civil society to create a platform
where issues around mining could further be discussed and solutions sought.
The Campaign for Just Mining (CJM) in
Civil
Society Alternative Process
The
Civil Society Alternative Process Sierra Leone (CSAP-SL) is a consortium of
grassroots and community-based civil society organizations operating in various
parts of the country, and which have broad-based constituencies. It was established
in 2004 to provide an alternative to previous initiatives that have failed
in providing the required visionary leadership for the civil society. CSAP-SL
has a membership of over 300 active organizations and groups operating across
the country, and functional structures at chiefdom, district, regional and
national levels.
The
circumstances which normally gave rise to the convergence of the Sierra Leonean
civil society to take a common position on national issues did not create
room for democratic structures and processes to be put in place as well as
developing a mode of operations and engagement with the government and donor
partners when the need arose. This is because the issues to be addressed were
very urgent and needed emergency treatment. In the absence of popularly accepted
structures and processes, a few people, usually the leaderships, took advantage
of the gaps to pursue personal agendas. The national cause then became subjected
to the whims and caprices of a few individuals itching to occupy political
offices. The unity and cohesion of the civil society easily collapsed and
became vulnerable to political manipulations.
There
have never been any sustained efforts in peace time to organize civil society
into a strong force that would be looked at as a critical and relevant stakeholder
that could contribute meaningfully and effectively to the setting up of the
national development agenda of the country. The Civil Society Alternative
Process (CSAP) is therefore poised to use the mistakes of the past to chart
a new path and a new role for the Sierra Leonean civil society in the governance
and development processes. There is,
as a first step, the need to reclaim the respect, admiration and confidence
which the citizenry and the international community used to accord the Sierra
Leonean civil society whose erosion was due partly to the continuing silence
of the leaderships over critical national issues that required their swift
interventions, as well as their sometimes open collusion with the political
class to perpetuate and maintain bad governance.
Global
Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
The
Global Call to Action Against Poverty is a worldwide alliance, committed to
making world leaders keep their promises, and to making a breakthrough in
the fight against poverty . It is not a formal institution/organization but
a coming together of hundreds of organizations from diverse backgrounds all
over the globe-from trade unions to religious groups, and from the biggest
international coalitions to the smallest civil society and grassroots organizations.
The
Global Call to Action Against Poverty Coalition Sierra Leone Chapter was launched
in March 2005. The Coalition has an active membership of more than 50 civil
society organisations ranging from national and international NGOs, CBOs,
religious bodies, trade unions, student bodies, farmers, traders, women’s
and youth groups. In addition to the three key demands of the
National
Advocacy Coalition on Extractives (NACE)
The
National Advocacy Coalition on Extractives (NACE) is a coalition of broad-based
independent and autonomous civil society organizations, human rights and environmental
advocacy groups, trade unions, peacebuilding, public accountability, community
development organizations that are concerned about the extent to which mining
can impact poverty reduction. The establishment of the Coalition was premised
on the fact that mining activities hugely contribute to undermining community
livelihood and promote social conflicts, environmental degradation, child
and human rights abuses and a host of other problems resulting in poor health,
hunger, poverty and general backwardness. Mining could still be an engine
for wealth creation that will lay the solid foundation for economic growth,
if only it is properly and effectively managed and monitored.
Community
Radio Network
The
Community Radio Network (CORNET) is a non-governmental, non-profit and indigenous
association working to promote electronic media professionalism by building
the capacity of media practitioners/broadcasters through training and provision
of radio equipment. By supporting the
establishment of community radios across the country, CORNET is providing
a platform at community level where Sierra Leoneans could participate in dialogue
on issues of democracy, peace, conflict resolution, social justice, gender
and children’s rights. The formation of CORNET was premised on the important
role community radio could play in the overall development of the country
and in consolidating the peace process.
National
Forum for Human Rights (NFHR)
The
National Forum for Human Rights (NFHR) is a coalition of human rights organizations
and institutions that were very much concerned about the appalling human rights
situation in the country in 1997 and the absence of any coordinated efforts
to address this ugly situation, which had the potential to plunge the country
into a state of anarchy. The Forum
is the product of the common desire of national human rights organizations
and institutions to form a strong umbrella organization that would coordinate
activities geared towards reversing the human rights situation, monitor violations
and protect and promote human rights issues in the country through awareness
raising, education, research, publication, documentation and reporting. Through
the intervention of the Forum, the attention of the international community
and media was drawn to the human rights situation in the country and many
actors became interested in working with Sierra Leoneans to draw the curtains
on this era of impunity.
Partners
in Conflict Transformation (PICOT)
Partners
in Conflict Transformation (PICOT) is a coalition of three organizations:
Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Methodist Church of Sierra
Leone (MCSL) and Sulima Fishing Community Development Project (SFCDP) who
are desirous to consolidate and strengthen existing peace-building and development
efforts, particularly with like-minded organizations at the community level.
PICOT facilitates pulling together of initiatives and skills in peace-building
and conflict transformation and enhances linkages between community representative
structures and policy makers at other levels - regionally, continentally and
globally.
The
coalition was borne out of the realization that civil society initiatives
on peace building were disorganized and not properly coordinated to create
the desired impact on especially local communities where the fundamental root
causes of the war were still visible and prevalent. This made the likelihood
of
African
Initiative on Mining, Environment and Society (AIMES)
The African Initiative on Mining,
Environment and Society (AIMES) is a coalition of civil society organizations
across