Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Speaks at IRI

August 5, 2003

Washington, D.C. --July 30 - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a former Liberian presidential candidate, gave a heartfelt speech to a crowd of Liberian experts and Africa followers at IRI. Her address and the question and answer period that followed marked the second presentation of IRI's Liberian Leadership Series.

Ms. Sirleaf came in second to President Charles Taylor in the 1997 elections. Prior to Ms. Sirleaf's run for presidential office, she served for five years as Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme with the rank of Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations. She currently serves as a senior advisor to Modern Africa Fund Managers, based in Washington D.C.

IRI has a vested interest in raising awareness of the conditions in Liberia. From its key role in organizing the Liberian Leadership Forum in Ouagadougou in July 2002 to its most recent preparations to establish an office and a political party resource center in Monrovia, IRI has been working to contribute to political stability in Liberia. Through the Liberian Leadership Series, IRI is providing a forum for visiting Liberian political leaders to share their views with the interested public.

The event was made possible in collaboration with the Modern Africa Fund Mangers, a Washington DC-based think tank that with a focus on African affairs.

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