Consistent with its mandate to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in facilitating the dissemination of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report, the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), in collaboration with Sierra Leonean artists, has produced a Music CD to sensitize the general public on findings and recommendations of the Report. This unique CD containing 15 songs on various aspects of the TRC report will be launched by Mr. Adisa Jelani Andwele (photo), UNDP Goodwill Ambassador from Barbados, on Saturday, 12 May 2007, at 5.00 pm at the National Stadium in Freetown.
UNIOSIL has been actively involved in the dissemination of the TRC report, and in sensitizing the public on its findings and recommendations. In collaboration with UNICEF, UNIOSIL has also distributed the child friendly version of the TRC report to a number of educational institutions throughout the country. Owing to the important role music plays in the social and cultural life of this country, by using songs as a medium of sensitization of the TRC’s conclusions, UNIOSIL found an additional way to contribute to the process of national reconciliation and consolidation of peace in Sierra Leone.
The Executive Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Mr. Victor Angelo, in his letter of invitation to the programme, noted that "the event of launching that Music CD is conceptualized around ongoing collective efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone and other national stakeholders, supported by the international community, including the United Nations, to disseminate and give greater visibility to the TRC report, as well as to sensitize the general populace on its key findings and recommendations. Most importantly, within the context of the post-conflict peace-building and consolidation process currently underway, the messages contained in the Music CD are widely anticipated to create the opportunity for greater citizen engagement towards a further strengthening of the legal, judicial, institutional and administrative mechanisms, as well as cultural and democratic values, vital to entrenching the climate conducive to broader respect for promotion and protection of human rights in Sierra Leone."
Officials of Government, members of the diplomatic corps, the business community, media, local and international NGOs, civil society groups, religious organizations, educational institutions, and the general public are invited to this important event.
Source: UNIOSIL, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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