Sierra Leone’s evolving story of civic education, leadership and children’s rights took centre stage in Canada, as Timothy Sam, Director of Civic Education and Citizens’ Engagement at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), shared lessons from the country’s journey and ongoing efforts to strengthen active citizenship.
The engagement was hosted by the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) and the University of the Fraser Valley’s Centre for Justice, Equity and Sustainable Action (JESA), bringing together perspectives on civic leadership, citizen participation, civil society and sustainable development.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Catherine Liao, Project Manager and Research Associate with JESA, highlighted the value of continued engagement with Sierra Leone, including collaboration with the MoICE in supporting initiatives in the country. As part of JESA’s Canadian engagement activities, she also shared the Global Affairs Canada-funded Championing Gender Equality and Inclusive Education in Sierra Leone project with attendees, raising awareness of the project and Canada’s support for advancing gender equality and inclusive education in Sierra Leone.
Representing BCCIC, Dr Adetoun Ilumoka, Lead on Policy, Social Movements and Knowledge Exchange, reflected on the strong connection between Sierra Leone’s civic education experience and BCCIC’s focus on citizen engagement, civil society and social movements.
“Sierra Leone’s experience provides an opportunity to learn how civic education can connect citizens, civil society and government, and strengthen meaningful participation in national development.”
The conversation also confronted the challenges that have shaped Sierra Leone’s civic journey. Today, Sierra Leone is responding by strengthening national identity, civic responsibility, participation and accountability. Through the National Civic Education Strategy 2024–2030, Civic Days, town halls, school engagements, quizzes, debates and community outreach, civic education is moving from strategy to action and from the classroom into communities.
The journey is far from complete, but the message shared in Canada was clear: Sierra Leone must continue to become the author of its own story, learning from the past, confronting present challenges and empowering a new generation of informed, responsible and active citizens.
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