CSA Hosts Workshop to Conduct Rule of Law Training for Incoming Government Officials

Monrovia, Liberia – In a groundbreaking initiative, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) partnered with the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), a Swedish agency to conduct a three-day working group discussion aimed at validating modules on the rule of law for incoming government officials. The working group discussion, which lasted for three-days and was held within the CSA’s building, brought together a diverse group of participants, including a selected team from the CSA, members of the FBA, and constituents from the Reference Group, integrating from several civil society organizations.

The collaborative effort aimed to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding on the rule of law, setting a new standard for preparing incoming government officials for their crucial roles in various assigned places of work. As the FBA is renowned for its expertise in peace and security development, their unique perspective on legal frameworks is helping the CSA in establishing modules to ensure stability, justice, ethics, accountability and integrity amongst the incoming public government officials. As such, marking a significant step towards fostering good governance and strengthening the foundations on the rule of law within the Government of Liberia.

The three-day working group discussions were very interactive and productive, as participants engaged in interactive workshops designed to promote active learning and practical application of legal concepts. Case studies and simulation exercises were practiced to grapple with real-world scenarios, enhancing their decision-making skills in adherence to the rule of law.

Key Modules Validated:

• Constitutional Governance: Discussions were delved into the intricacies of constitutional principles, ensuring incoming officials grasp the foundational aspects of the legal framework that places focus on good governance.
• Prevention of Corruption: With all of the rules and regulations to prevent corruption, the participants held intensive conversations on ways to minimize the dishonest dealings, unscrupulousness, and fraudulence.
• Transparency and Accountability: Sessions were focused on instilling the values of transparency and accountability within the government. Practical exercises and simulations provided a hands-on approach to dealing with scenarios where these principles are paramount.
• Legal Ethics and Integrity: Conversations were placed to lay strong emphasis on legal ethics and integrity, equipping officials with the tools needed to navigate ethical dilemmas and maintain the highest standards of conduct in public service.
• Local and International Perspectives on Rule of Law: Leveraging the expertise of the FBA, participants shared views on local and international perspectives on the rule of law. The academy’s global approach enriched the group discussions by providing a broader context for the challenges and opportunities in upholding the rule of law.

The conversations fostered an environment of interactive learning, with participants actively engaging in discussions, and practical exercises. The modules were designed to encourage critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills, preparing the participants with the knowledge for the onboarding exercise of incoming officials that are expected to take seats after the inauguration. The onboarding exercise will hope to include all incoming ministers, deputy ministers, and superintendents from the various counties.

Participants of the team comprise of individuals from the CSA who were from the Career Management and Training Division (CMTD), the Employment Services Division (ESD), the Management Services Division (MSD), the Monitoring and Evaluation Division (M&E), and the Legal Unit, along with representatives of the FBA, and members of the Reference Group, integrating from several civil society organizations including: the Accountability Lab, the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREED), Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA) amongst others.

As the nation looks forward to a new era of governance, the impact of the working discussions group is poised to resonate in the decisions and actions of the incoming officials, fostering a culture of adherence to the rule of law and promoting good governance for a government that is accountable, transparent, and fair.