DOG KECH KOL TE, I NO DE WAM INSEF NA LEPET KANDA. No matter how cold a dog gets, he doesn't warm himself in leopard skin.
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SIERRA LEONE: Past, Present and Future... |
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Wednesday, 16 December 2009 |
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Wednesday,
16th
December 2009
Royal
Geographical Society
Doors
and bar open 6pm, Discussion Begins at 7pm
We’ve all seen Blood Diamond, but how much do we actually know about
the horrific conflict in Sierra Leone in 2000? And what do you know
about that beautiful country today, with its vibrant people, tropical
rainforests and white sandy beaches?
Sierra Leone is a country with a troubled past. A brutal civil war
began in 1991 and raged for 10 years. It was particularly sadistic and
bloody in its nature but thankfully ended, largely due an important
intervention by the British Army. However, the devastating toll of the
civil war was felt across the economic, social and political
infrastructure of the country and left an awful legacy.
On the 16th December 2009, to mark ten years since the end of the war,
we are bringing together some leading voices for an event to discuss
the country's past, present and future. In addition to examining the
conflict, its causes and its resolution, we want to celebrate the
country’s wonderful people, their spirit and their determination to
rebuild their country and finish by looking at the future of this
unique country and its prospects for the next decade and on.
The event will take place at the Royal Geographical Society, London and
is hosted by the UK Association for the Milton Margai School for the
Blind. All proceeds will go towards its sister school, the Paul School
for the Blind in Bo where 40 children live and learn in squalid
conditions. The school is more than just a place of learning. Disabled
people in Sierra Leone, and the blind especially, are considered
worthless to society. A large proportion of blind children are
abandoned, and it is only thanks to schools such as the Paul School
that these children have an education, or even a roof over their heads
and a daily meal. The children are overwhelmed that this event is in
aid of them. Several were tragically blinded in the most horrific
circumstances by rebel soldiers during the civil war.
This event will be the first time that General Sir David Richards talks
extensively about the conflict in Sierra Leone and the role the British
Military played in bringing peace to the country. Despite an initial
mission to evacuate Brits from Freetown, British and Sierra Leonean
forces were able to launch an offensive causing the retreat of the
Westside Boys and returning peace to the war ravaged nation. Touted as
the most successful British military mission in the last decade, the
conflict in Sierra Leone is a source of pride to British forces and the
UK, and Sierra Leone.
Sorious Samura, the internationally acclaimed journalist and director
of the award-winning film “Cry Freetown” which depicts the actual
events in Sierra Leone during the time of the civil war will be another
one of our guest speakers. The footage he captured was at great
personal risk to his own life but he was determined to record the
plight of his countrymen to move the international community into
action.
He will be joined by two distinguished foreign affairs journalists from
the BBC – Fergal Keane and Allan Little – who have between then have
covered most of the important international events and conflicts of our
time, such as the last days of apartheid in South Africa, the conflict
in the Balkans and the troubles in Northern Ireland,
There will also be a live performance by musicians and artists from
Sierra Leone after the discussion and a chance to chat to the
participants and other guests over drinks in the Map Room of the RGS.
Speakers
David Richards: General Sir David Julian Richards KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC
General, is a British military commander, and was the overall commander
of international forces in southern Afghanistan from July 2006 -
February 2007. He was formerly Commander-in-Chief, Land Command and
became Chief of the General Staff (Head of the British Army) in 2009.
As Chief of Joint Force Operations and default commander for short
notice expeditionary operations, he commanded the UK Contingent in East
Timor in 1999 and twice commanded a UK Joint Task Force in Sierra Leone
in 2000.
His Excellency Melvin H Chalobah: Melvin Chalobah became Sierra Leone's
High Commissioner to the UK in November 2006. In the two and a half
years since, H.E. Chalobah has earned the reputation as an extremely
able and dynamic representative of Sierra Leone in the international
arena. He is also regarded as having worked hard at the High Commission
to raise the standards of service and accountability to the public.
H.E. Chalobah and his wife Mrs Omodunni Chalobah have worked tirelessly
to support thousands of individuals and organisations with a Sierra
Leonean focus or connection. The general consensus within the diaspora
and beyond is that H.E. Melvin Chalobah has been, to date, one of the
most effective High Commissioners ever to have represented Sierra Leone
at the Court of St James.
Sorious Samura: Sorious Samura is an internationally acclaimed
journalist and director from Sierra Leone . He is best known for two
CNN documentary films: Cry Freetown (2000) and Exodus from Africa
(2001). The self-funded Cry Freetown depicts the most brutal period of
the civil war in Sierra Leone when RUF rebels captured the capital
city. The film won, among other awards, an Emmy Award and a Peabody .
Exodus from Africa shows the harrowing effort made by young male
Africans to reach Europe via death and danger ridden paths from Sierra
Leone and Nigeria , Mali , the Sahara desert, Algeria and Morocco
through the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain .
Fergal Keane: Fergal Keane is a Special Correspondent for the BBC.
During his time with the BBC he has reported from some of the world's
major trouble spots, including Northern Ireland , South Africa and
Rwanda . He has won many awards for his hard-hitting, often moving
reports and was awarded an OBE for his services to journalism in 1996.
He is the author of several books including Letter to Daniel:
Despatches from the Heart and All of These People - a memoir of his
life. He is a Patron of the Kambia Hospital Appeal which aims to
improve health in Sierra Leone.
Allan Little: Allan Little is a Special Correspondent with the BBC.
During his long career he has covered the 1991 Gulf war, the genocide
in Rwanda , the overthrow of President Mobutu in Zaire , the conflict
in the Balkans, the civil war in Sierra Leone and many other
international news stories of our time. He has won several awards
including a Gold Sony Radio Award for Reporter of the Year in 1992 and
in 1994 he was named the Bayeux War Correspondent of the Year.
Additional Information
For further details please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or call Joanna Richards on 07881 784484 / Elana Cheah on 07708 023703
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