Constitutional Review Committee schooled media practitioners
The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) held a one day workshop on media engagement on Constitutional Review process on Tuesday 11th March 2014, at the Miatta Conference Hall Youyi Building.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Acting Country Director, Dr. Mohamed Abchir disclosed that the idea of CRC-media engagement workshop is honored and timely, he said he was happy to meet different journalists as well as the chairmen, Members and staff of Constitutional review Commission respectively.
Dr. Abchir said the President of Sierra Leone has encouraged participation in the ongoing Constitutional Review process, and emphasized the importance of inclusiveness at every step, and at all levels. The Constitution is owned by and applies to all citizens of Sierra Leone equally. This needs to be understood by everyone to whom the constitution applies.
“As member of the fourth estate, your role is pivotal in this historic national process as the outcome will surely influence and promote social justice, peace, development and conflict prevention mechanisms to avoid repeat of socio-political violence,” said Dr. Abchir.
The Constitutional Review process offers a perfect opportunity to consolidate and safeguard Sierra Leone’s hard-won gains over the years. Therefore, the Constitutional Review process itself, if managed well, will strengthen the culture of democracy, and help to develop a tradition of the rule of law and meaningful participation in decision-making.
The Constitutional Review Process is a unique opportunity for voices to be heard. As such, stakeholders are being engaged and mobilized to take part. However, it is also recognized that, for the participation of groups of stakeholders to be effectives, it needs to be well-informed and coordinated.
This means that when the dialogue on the constitutional Review starts in earnest, stakeholders will have to understand how the process works. Participating groups will have to have already consolidated their positions to reflect their respective group’s own unique perspective.
These forms of technical workshops are precursor to the actual substantive Constitutional Review Process.
This session provide us an opportunity to further discuss the role of media in the constitutional review process. This will include fostering informed and inclusive participation of the citizens of Sierra Leone in the constitutional review process, a principle the United Nations supports fully.
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