MONROVIA – The Better Future Foundation, in partnership with the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, Voices Of The Elders, Angie Brooks International Center, and the Liberia Institute for Growing Patriotism, is set to convene a high-level National Unification Day Dialogue at the University of Liberia Capitol Hill Campus on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The event, supported by Partners for Democracy & Good Governance, is expected to launch a multi-phase national initiative aimed at strengthening reconciliation efforts while advancing discussions surrounding transitional justice and the proposed war and economic crimes court in Liberia.
Organizers say the dialogue seeks to bridge the longstanding divide between national reconciliation and accountability for crimes committed during Liberia’s civil conflicts.
Call for National Consensus
Speaking ahead of the conference, veteran educator and National Unification Day Co-Presider Mary Laurene Browne stressed the need for Liberians to move beyond symbolic observances and embrace sustained national dialogue.
“Unification is not a static event; it is an active, persistent dialogue,” Sister Browne said.
She urged Liberians across all sectors of society to work toward a shared national vision, while calling on private businesses and corporate institutions to recognize that sustainable peace remains essential for national stability and economic growth.
According to her, lasting reconciliation can only be achieved through collective ownership of Liberia’s future.
Data-Driven Peacebuilding Initiative
A key feature of the National Unification Day Dialogue will be the launch of what organizers describe as an innovative, data-driven peacebuilding strategy.
Central to the initiative is a nationwide “Snap Survey” expected to engage approximately 15,000 respondents across Liberia. The survey aims to assess public opinion on reconciliation, national unity, and the establishment of a war and economic crimes court.
Organizers say the findings will help policymakers, justice advocates, and national stakeholders better understand public sentiment on transitional justice issues.
The initiative will also introduce quarterly “Postmortem Dialogues” — described as part of a broader “Dialogue Loop” — through which survey findings will be reviewed and discussed with stakeholders through 2027.
According to organizers, the process is intended to ensure that public feedback directly informs policy discussions, legislative debates, and reconciliation initiatives rather than being ignored after data collection.
Transitional Justice at Critical Stage
The dialogue comes at a critical period for the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, amid growing national debate over the implementation of recommendations contained in Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
Organizers believe the survey and dialogue process could provide the empirical evidence needed to help guide national decision-making on transitional justice and reconciliation.
The initiative also aims to reposition the issue of accountability from a politically divisive debate to what organizers describe as a broader national development priority.
High-Level Participation Expected
The conference is expected to feature a keynote address and a high-level panel discussion involving senior government officials, international partners, and civil society leaders.
Expected participants include the Speaker of the Liberian Legislature, the Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, representatives of the United Nations and members of the diplomatic community, as well as leaders of the National Unification Hero/Heroine Awards Committee.
Meanwhile, the Secretariat of the Mary N. Brownell National Unification Hero/Heroine Awards, through BFF Founder and Chief Executive Officer Augustine S. Arkoi, confirmed that several nominations have already been received for this year’s honors.
According to the organizers, individuals recognized for exceptional contributions toward peacebuilding, reconciliation, and national unity will be officially announced and honored during the ceremony.
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