1. Background
Since its establishment, Camp for Peace Liberia (CFPL) has been a grassroots force for peacebuilding, psychosocial support, and youth empowerment. Through its vocational training, agriculture, education, and community resilience programs, CFPL has reached thousands of young people and women affected by war and poverty.
Building on two decades of field experience and trusted community relationships, CFPL now seeks to formalize its role as a Liberian-based Peace and Development Think Tank — a hub for research, policy dialogue, and knowledge sharing focused on trauma recovery, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive education.
2. Rationale
Liberia’s post-war recovery has revealed deep and interconnected challenges: persistent youth unemployment, fragile governance systems, weak education infrastructure, and unhealed trauma. Despite numerous interventions, there remains a gap between community realities and policy decisions.
CFPL’s transition into a think tank addresses this gap by connecting practice with policy, ensuring that decisions about peace, education, and development are informed by local evidence and community voices.
This transformation aligns with CFPL’s founding mission — to promote peace through empowerment and understanding — while expanding its influence beyond program delivery to thought leadership and policy innovation.
3. Vision
To become a leading Liberian Peace and Development Think Tank that generates evidence-based insights to inform policies and programs promoting sustainable peace, education, and livelihoods.
4. Core Focus Areas
- Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion – Research on local peace mechanisms, reconciliation, and post-conflict healing.
- Trauma and Education – Studies on trauma-informed teaching and learning in post-war schools.
- Youth and Livelihoods – Policy analysis on skills training, employment pathways, and entrepreneurship.
- Governance and Accountability – Evidence generation to support transparent, inclusive governance systems.
- Gender and Child Protection – Research on women’s empowerment, childcare systems, and social safety nets.
- Climate and Rural Resilience – Policy briefs on sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and food security.
5. Strategic Objectives
- Establish a Research and Policy Unit within CFPL.
- Develop a data repository and publication series (policy briefs, working papers, reports).
- Create partnerships with universities, ministries, and international think tanks.
- Host annual policy dialogues and community learning forums.
- Strengthen CFPL’s institutional capacity in research, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E).
6. Expected Outcomes
A recognized, credible source of community-based research and analysis.
Improved policy responses to youth unemployment, trauma, and education challenges.
Greater engagement between policymakers, civil society, and communities.
Strengthened evidence base for donor programming and national planning.
7. Call for Partnership
CFPL invites collaboration and support from academic institutions, development agencies, philanthropic foundations, and government partners to:
- Provide technical and financial assistance for establishing the think tank structure.
- Support research capacity building for Liberian scholars and practitioners.
- Co-sponsor publications, forums, and field-based research initiatives.
- Strengthen Liberia’s evidence ecosystem for peace and development.
8. Contact
Camp for Peace Liberia (CFPL)
Salayea District, Lofa County, Liberia
Email:i nfo@campforpeace.org
B. Abel Learwellie
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