1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 You're watching UNICEF Television. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:07,000 After 14 years of civil conflict, 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Liberia is moving forward on the road to recovery. 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,000 To witness this encouraging trend, 5 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:17,000 a delegation representing the governing bodies of UN funds and programs 6 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,000 has spent a week in the West African nation. 7 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,000 By seeing first-hand realities on the ground, 8 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,000 the delegation hopes to gain insight 9 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,000 and help contribute to the country's reconstruction. 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:35,000 We found that the Liberian people are indeed a very resilient and hopeful people. 11 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:38,000 Although they have gone through 14 years of war, 12 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,000 they are determined to rise again 13 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,000 and to make this country all that it can be. 14 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,000 During their joint visit, 15 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:48,000 the delegates representing the executive boards of UNICEF, 16 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,000 the World Food Programme, 17 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,000 the UN Development Programme and the UN Population Fund 18 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,000 met with President Alan Johnson Sirleaf. 19 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,000 They discussed crucial priorities for the country, 20 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,000 such as unemployment, health and education. 21 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,000 Education is the basis for knowledge. 22 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,000 It's the basis for capacity. 23 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:14,000 It's the basis for having the capability 24 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:20,000 to be able to, first of all, manage your own affairs in your home and community, 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,000 but also to be a part of the overall national team 26 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,000 that's trying to rebuild the country. 27 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:31,000 The 19-member delegation also met with government officials 28 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:35,000 and representatives from civil society and the private sector. 29 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:38,000 Delegation members then split into two groups 30 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,000 to visit UN-funded programmes 31 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,000 in some of the regions most devastated by the civil war, 32 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:46,000 including Lofa and Nimba counties, 33 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:49,000 as well as the Monserrato and Bomi counties. 34 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,000 Liberia today faces colossal challenges. 35 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:58,000 More than 76% of the population lives below the poverty line, 36 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,000 earning less than $1 a day. 37 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,000 85% are unemployed. 38 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,000 Although considerable work lies ahead on the road to recovery, 39 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,000 there are now great expectations for the future. 40 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,000 These challenges and opportunities will be reflected 41 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:18,000 as the UN delegates report on their visit 42 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,000 and share their experiences in one of Africa's more dynamic democracies. 43 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:26,000 This is Sabine Dolan reporting for UNICEF Television. 44 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:29,000 Unite for Children.