Liberia Armed Violence Observatory
Information on the purpose of your organization
To positively influence the prevention and reduction of armed violence in Liberia through the collection, analyzing and dissemination of armed violence data.
LAVO aims to raise awareness on armed violence in Liberia, as well as to provide policymakers with an evidence-based understanding of armed violence in Liberia, upon which they will be able to develop concrete programs, with potential to effectively reduce the causes of armed violence. LAVO collaborates with strategic partners in the collection, analysis and dissemination of Armed Violence data in Liberia.
Information on your programmes and activities in areas relevant to the subject of the Summit and in which country or counties they are carried out.
LAVO conducted several workshops for members of the media and other relevant stakeholders as well as held several radio and television talks shows and published newspapers articles on armed violence. In order to create a holistic picture of armed violence, a major public outreach and awareness campaign was launched. Additionally, the LAVO commissioned one armed violence drama and one armed violence song that are being distributed and played on radio stations throughout Liberia.
LAVO successfully conducted awareness and sensitization campaigns in Bong, Nimba and Lofa counties in Liberia aimed at educating local communities? dwellers on the danger of armed violence and to recruit additional data providers. LAVO is presently implementing a Trust Africa Small Grant project in four communities in Nimba Communities (Tappita, Secleapea, Sanniquellie and Ganta) in Liberia to broaden its data collection and analysis capacity on armed violence incidents at the community-based for early preventions and interventions aim at achieving the post-2015 development agenda at the national level.
Information on activities at the national or international levels
LAVO participated in armed violence prevention and reduction events in Sierra Leone and Switzerland in 2013. LAVO presented on its achievements, challenges and prospects which help to guide the Sierra Leonean Government Ministries/Agencies and CSOs in the establishment of their Observatory.
LAVO attended an Expert Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland from June 26-28, 2013 with about 40 participants from all regions of the world. The Expert Meeting was aimed at gathering and sharing information and experiences from key players and experts from around the world who are involved in observatories and armed violence monitoring systems.
The meeting was also geared towards identifying how to best link collection and analysis of data with policy making and programming, in order to increase the impact of activities to prevent and reduce armed violence to build peace. LAVO delegate presented on the experience in setting up and operationalizing an armed violence observatory in post conflict Liberia.
The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) in collaboration with Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) organized a training session for staff of the LAVO Secretariat on the analysis, and interpretation of armed violence data in 2013.
Organization have an annual report? (YES/NO) (should contain financial statements and a list of financial sources and contributions, including governmental contributions)?
No -
List of members of the governing body of your organization, and their countries of nationality
Decision-making for the LAVO is carried out during meetings of the Working Group or the Executive Committee. Meetings of the Working Group are held quarterly; while the Executive Committee meets monthly. List of Executive Committee Members and their countries of nationality:
Vivian D. Dogbey ? Chairperson ? Liberian
Philip Kollie ? Vice Chairperson - Liberian
Martin Kerkula - Secretary - Liberian
Felesu F. Swaray ? Member - Liberian
Benjamin Sumo - Member - Liberian
Emmanuel B. Yates ? Member - Liberian
Daniel F. Kingsley ? Member - Liberian
Copy of the constitution and/or by-laws of the organization (WORD or PDF only), or a weblink to it
LAVO_Article_Of_Incorporation_2015.pdf
