The National Vision Exhibit

The National Vision Exhibit was launched on December 10, 2003 at the National Stadium in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  Over 400 individuals, many of them contributors attended the event.  The TRC awarded winners and runners-up in six categories.  The exhibit opened at the National Museum on December 15, 2003 where it remained until the end of February 2004.Between December 20, 2003 and February 2004, more than 1000 people signed thier names and wrote their comments inthe National Vision buest book. Over 600 school children have also attended the exhibit and participated in group discussions on the significance of the National Vision to Sierra Leone's future.

PROPOSED OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES

Activity 1.1.  National Tour

To ensure the visibility of the Exhibit to as many Sierra Leoneans as possible, the National Vision should travel outside the capital.  The National Vision Team will partner with organisations around the country to secure exhibition spaces in cities and towns and to develop effective programs to accompany the exhibit, such as workshops and performances. The Team will also continue to encourage new contributions.

Activity 1.2. Provide additional public exposure for contributors’ visions

The publication of a book that includes photographs of the contributions, biographies of the contributors, and essays from leaders in the field, will ensure a permanent legacy for the National Vision. 

Activity 1.3. Establish a permanent home for the National Vision

After the completion of the National Tour, the exhibit will be housed in a permanent location that will serve as an active site for performances, workshops, seminars, and other activities linked to the National Vision’s mission. In order to adequately preserve the exhibit, a team will be responsible for the preservation and labelling of all contributions.

Activity 2.1:  Group Discussions

Concurrent with the national tour, public group discussions will take place at the exhibit sites. The exhibit will serve as an inspirational tool for these discussions, offering opportunities and outlets for Sierra Leoneans to express their own visions, fears, and hopes for the future.

Activity 2.2: Development of a Civic Education Module

The National Vision will develop a civic education module promoting dialogue as an alternative to violent conflict that will act as a tool for teachers, social workers, and community groups.  The module will use existing National Vision contributions, art, writing, and guided discussions to encourage youths to articulate their own visions for their communities and country.   

Objective 3: Promote awareness to the international community through an International Tour and a website.

Activity 3.1:  Provide international exposure for contributors visions

To ensure the expansion of the dissemination of the National Vision to the public, the National Vision Team will set up a working website featuring contributors and contributions and secure the services of a videographer and video equipment to document the evolution of the National Vision.

Activity 3.2: Pursue offers of international Exhibit space

To bring a portion of the Exhibit and selected contributors to international Exhibit venues in collaboration with international artists to pursue a broader discussion of the issues raised in the contributions and raise awareness of individual visions for Sierra Leone.