 "Photo: Diane Varnie/Echo staff photographer")
N.C. Central University's Office of International Affairs hosted the 43rd annual Liberian Studies Association Conference, "Community Engagement as an Imperative for Nation Building in Liberia: Prospects and Strategies."
The conference was held from March 31 to April 2 in the H. M. Michaux Jr. School of Education.
The three-day event included various panel discussions with more than 50 scholars and practitioners from five continents.
"We're looking at research that can address how we can engage the community or even how the community can engage the government of Liberia in the post-conflict environment," said Emmanuel Oritsejafor, director of International Affairs at NCCU and co-editor of the Liberian Studies Journal.
This is the second time that the association has come back to campus.
NCCU previously hosted the conference in 2004. The main event of the conference was the banquet with the keynote address by Robin Chandler chair of the department of African-American studies at Northeastern University.
Chandler spoke on the topic, "Transformational Community Engagement in the ‘New Liberia': Overcoming Gender Jitters Through Capacity-Building and Virtues Development in Higher Education — A Buchanan Case Study."
The speech was based on the gender inequalities in Liberia, and featured personal experiences and testimonials.
"I have chosen the language of the new Liberia to focus away from Liberia's identity as a failed or fragile state, to the present and future identity as a stable and prosperous state," said Chandler in her speech.
"A model of national transformation, that it might make the rest of the world envious."
Though the speech was border-line feminist, influenced with breaks of comedic relief, attendees rendered their own judgment on Chandler's point-of-view.
"In Liberia, just like many societies, the women are important, but their role is underpaid,"said NCCU Public Administration alumna Yusador Gaye.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now