Sierra Leone

Situation analysis
While further progress has been made in Sierra Leone in the peace-consolidation process, and the security situation has remained stable, the country is still fragile because root causes of the conflict have not yet been fully addressed. A joint and coordinated approach of all United Nations entities in Sierra Leone was seen to be essential to assist the country in achieving its overall objectives particularly in areas such as security sector reform; democratization; good governance; protection of human rights; rule of law and socio-economic development.

The United Nations Communications Group (UNCG) Sierra Leone was established on 19 April 2006 in Freetown.

Strategic objectives
The UNCG was established to achieve the following strategic objectives.

• To utilize the UNCG as a strong unifying platform for addressing public information and awareness needs of mutual interest facing the UN in the country.

• To convincingly tell the collective UN story with one voice and achieve the greatest impact in promoting a culture of peace, dialogue, and participation in critical national issues through a strategic approach to public information and communications.

• To promote and portrait a coherent image of the United Nations system and engage in dialogue with select target groups and the general public of the country, e.g. government, NGOs, civil society groups and community based organizations, donor countries and organizations, private sector, rural farmers, media, councilors, migrant workers and their families.