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September 24, 2008, 07:19 PM ET
Liberian President Wants Coordination of Nonprofit Work
The president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, called on foundations and aid groups operating in her country to do a better job of coordinating their work and developing programs that conform with the Liberian government’s development agenda.
At the Clinton Global Initiative, she said her nation has benefited from an outpouring of assistance since the end of its long-running civil conflict. But, she said, “If you want more bang for the buck, you’ve really got to get together.”
Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf said she is meeting this week with philanthropists and nonprofit leaders, including George Soros and members of InterAction, an association of international charities, to discuss ways to work hand-in-glove with her government.
These discussion have already made some headway.
At the event, Pam Omidyar, wife of the founder of eBay, Peter Buffett, son of Warren Buffett, and others pledged $15-million to create a forum for grant makers operating in Liberia to exchange ideas, track their progress, and prevent missteps.
What’s more, the Nike Foundation and the World Bank announced a $5-million project to provide job training to 1,500 Liberian girls — an effort Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf praised as matching her education goals.
Bill Clinton, whose foundation also operates in Liberia, said the African leader is correct in her call for more coordination among charities and others.
“She’s trying to organize us so we all don’t fall all over each other,” he said.
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