20 Liberian Journalists Trained in Critical Reporting on UN Strategic Framework

Monrovia, Liberia: The United Nations (UN) body in Liberia has ended a day-long capacity building training for 20 local journalists, aimed at driving accurate reportage on UN's Cooperation Framework (UNCF) in the Liberian media landscape.

The training, held on Wednesday, April 22nd, in Monrovia, brought together journalists from various media institutions.

Journalists were trained in strategic areas such as enhancing public understanding on the UN System, coordination structure and development interventions in Liberia.

The United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) 2026–2030, serves as the blueprint guiding UN support to national development priorities in member states.

The framework aligns with key national and global agendas, including Liberia’s Vision 2030, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) 2025–2029, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the Doha Plan of Action.

UN officials at the one-day training expressed confidence that the engagement will improve the quality of reporting on UN activities.

Remaking at the event, the Head of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Margaret Gulavic stated that the training will help journalists address information gaps and encourage more accurate, balanced, and evidence-based reportage on development issues.

According to her, communication gaps within the UN system have been a challenge, largely due to technical language and frequent use of acronyms.

She explained that 24 UN agencies operate in Liberia under a single coordination framework.

“Here in Liberia we have 24 agencies. Some are resident here in Liberia, others are non-resident, but they all work together under a common framework, and that's the UN Cooperation Framework,” she said.

Madam Gulavic added that the current framework was developed after an extensive review of previous programming to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and strengthen impact.

Also speaking, the Youth Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme, Lovett Weah, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the UN and the media.

She noted that challenges facing journalists and media instructions, particularly around resources and professional development, must not affect how information is disseminated to the public.

Meanwhile, the President of the Press Union of Liberia, Julius Kanubah welcomed the initiative, and called for sustained investment in journalists through capacity-building programs.

He stressed that strengthening journalists’ capacity is essential to improving the quality of reporting on national development issues and enhancing public understanding on development processes.

The training comes as the UN and the Government of Liberia deepen cooperation under the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) 2026–2030.

The framework focuses on three priority areas: human capital development, governance and rule of law, and economic development and sustainability. It also emphasizes inclusion, gender equality, disability rights, and accountability.