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YOUR VISION. YOUR FUTURE!
I am amazed at the resilience of people...I have every confidence that through the National Vision they will succeed.... They have caught the vision and in doing so nothing will overcome it... I am proud to endorse the National Vision for Sierra Leone, may they succeed splendidly. God bless you.
Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus. May 18, 2004
The National Vision is among the most beautiful efforts I have seen on the part of a people to rebuild their nation one step at a time.... the National Vision for Sierra Leone is one of the most significant reconciliation initiatives to come out of any truth commission to date....if properly fostered, it may have a lasting impact not only on Sierra Leone, but on transitional justice more generally.
Dr. Alex Boraine, Founder and Chairman of the Board, International Center for Transitional Justice, former Vice-Chairman of the South African TRC. May 12, 2004
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What is the National Vision for Sierra Leone?
After 11 years of civil war marked by severe brutality and enormous destruction Sierra Leoneans are facing great human, institutional and financial challenges as they attempt to rebuild and reinvent their society. Mandated by the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The National Vision for Sierra Leone (NVSL) is a groundbreaking, unique cultural program featuring artwork, literature, essays, performance and installation by Sierra Leoneans of all ages and backgrounds expressing their hopes for a post-conflict Sierra Leone of peace, unity and pride. The NVSL is both a portable exhibit and an ongoing project.
(An overview of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report can be downloaded here:
http://www.ictj.org/downloads/SL.TRC.Overview.pdf)
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The Exhibit: The exhibit consists of over 250 artistic and scholarly contributions ranging from sculpture, painting, and poetry to written and recorded essays, slogans and posters. The Ongoing Project: The NVSL project, with offices in Freetown, continues to accept contributions and provides a continuous, interactive forum for dialogue, reflection, and acknowledgement of the past and furnishes a workspace for exploration of a better future. |
About Sierra Leone
THE ORIGINAL CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE TRC (Issued 17 September 2003) The Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) seeks contributions from members of the public to assist the TRC to build a National Vision for Sierra Leone. Contributions may: n DESCRIBE THE KIND OF SOCIETY THE CONTRIBUTOR WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN.
n SUGGEST HOW TO MAKE SIERRA LEONE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
n SET OUT THE CONTRIBUTOR’S HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR SIERRA LEONE.
n DESCRIBE WHERE THE CONTRIBUTOR WOULD LIKE TO SEE SIERRA LEONE IN 5 OR 10 YEARS.
n DEVISE SLOGANS FOR A NATIONAL VISION.
n SUPPLY POEMS, SONGS, PAINTINGS OR PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SYMBOLIZE THE NEW SIERRA LEONE.
n PROVIDE ANYTHING CREATIVE THAT INSPIRES PEACE AND UNITY - AND PRIDE IN BEING SIERRA LEONEAN.
Selected and creative contributions will be used inthe Report of the TRC and the author/creator will be accredited. Selected contributions may also form part of a larger collection that may be published in a separate book. Contributions may also be used in an exhibition that will be put on display throughout Sierra Leone and around the world
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Visual Arts
Ahmad Saiwa of Peace Links Sierra Leone submitted his "Vision" painting to the National Vision. In the green, white and blue of the Sierra Leone national flag, Ahmen creates the 'V' of 'Vision' out of two hands praying. A lit candle of peace forms the 'i'. The 'o' of 'Vision' opens up into a rainbow that reveals the form of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leoneans from the four corners of the country represent diversity as joined hands come together in unity and love. At the center lie the scales of justice. In Ahmed's vision, as represented by the even scales, every Sierra Leonean is equal before the law.
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