A renowned Liberian human rights and social justice campaigner has stressed the need for diasporic Liberian-based community organizations to develop a "participative culture" if progress and harmony is to be achieved in our community.

Delivering the keynote address at program marking the 163 Independence Anniversary of Liberia, jointly held under the auspices of the LCM and OLM in St. Paul, recently, Mr. Steve Wilson, who is also Director of the African Development Center, observed that under the "rubric of their leadership structures," organizations must devote significant time and resource to expanding skills, knowledge base, and responsibilities of membership to engender a sense of ownership and belonging which in turn spurs growth and development.

Speaking on the topic: "A Viable, United Community-Based Organization of Liberians in Minnesota---reflections of Liberia’s 163 Independence Day Celebration," Mr. Wilson stressed the need for the "two major Liberian-based organizations" in Minnesota to be inclusive by reaching out to other Liberians in other parts of Minnesota, who he said has been marginalized, ignored and disenfranchised," for time immemorial thus creating disunity and retarding growth and development.

"Our community organizations must develop a critical perspective…that is we must seek to change policies and institutions that are not working, and create foundations that promote institutional accountability and responsiveness," he averred.

He lamented that our community organizations do not take what he referred to as "critical, life-saving positions," they are often viewed as partisan or even polarizing in some context, and an obstacle to social collaboration and change,

Mr. Wilson further observed that such "critical stance," may generate conflict, but it could also stimulate participation and sharpen political discourse in "ways that lead to deeper and richer forms of social, economic, and inter-institutional connectiveness and cohesion."

The human rights campaigner named the lack of "will power, vision and sincerity to map out solutions for the common good; infighting, and bickering as major problems confronting growth and development in Liberian community-based organizations, and called on the leadership of these organizations to cultivate a new attitude towards leadership, eschewing selfish, cliquish interest and maneuverings."

Mr. Wilson received a thunderous applause, from the jammed-packed audience when he boldly stated: "I must assure you that there are no Liberians who are more Liberian than anyone here tonight. Your effort at organizing a program to commemorate the contributions of our forebears and the country we so love are profound and attest to how nostalgic and patriotic a set of citizens you are."

Following the brilliance delivery of the Independence Day oration, many Liberians who attended the program, was heard hinting the need for a confederate model of governance amongst Liberians-based Community Organizations.