“The Role of the University in Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development in a Turbulent World.”

US Amb. Mark Toner’s Commencement Address at University of Liberia, September 20, 2024

Graduating students!  First, I want to say what an honor it is to speak to all of you on such a momentous occasion.  Congratulations to all of you on getting here!  It is a remarkable achievement, and you should all be very proud.

I also want to congratulate all the parents and family members who are here celebrating this milestone with you.  Without their support, love, and self-sacrifice, this day would not be possible.  In fact, my third daughter graduates from university next May, so I know how important the support system all of you provide is to helping these students achieve their dreams.  Thank you.

I also want to thank the dedicated faculty and staff of the University of Liberia for the tremendous effort they have made to ensure these graduating students have received the best possible education and preparation for what lies ahead.  I also want to acknowledge Dr. Conteh for his leadership of this great university.

I was invited to speak today as the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia.  Our two countries share a long and close relationship.  But on a more personal level, I also have a long and close relationship with Liberia, having served here as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the late 1980’s.  Coming back some thirty plus years later, now as America’s senior-most representative, has given me a unique perspective on where I believe our bilateral relationship needs to go in order for Liberia to become the prosperous, stable nation we all know it can be.  All of you graduates will play a pivotal role in that process, as will institutions such as the University of Liberia.  Getting there will involve making hard decisions and overcoming some big obstacles.  But as you all know, nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.

I think it is worth taking a closer look at some of the factors impeding Liberia’s progress because my greatest hope is that all of you go on to lead successful careers not in America, or Europe, or even in some other African country, but right here in Liberia.  I want to see all of you use the tools this university has given you to build a better future for yourselves and for your countrymen and women.  To work in your communities, start businesses, or pursue careers in public service.  Because that is how you truly build and sustain a nation of laws, liberty, and opportunity.

Liberia’s success matters to me because I know from personal experience how strong, resilient, and hardworking Liberians are.  You, the graduates of today, are the key to ensuring Liberia’s future matches the future you imagine for yourselves and your country.

It is also, of course, very much in the United States’ strategic interest to see Liberia emerge as a model of democratic governance, political stability and economic growth in the region.  Liberia occupies a region where political unrest, economic upheaval, and transnational threats have too often been the norm rather than the exception.  My goal and the goal of every American ambassador before and after me should be to support Liberia’s efforts to become a stable, prosperous, democratic nation, a strong partner and a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and determination.

I am fiercely proud of the fact that the United States has been and continues to be a steadfast partner to Liberia throughout this journey. As all of you know, America and Liberia share a special bond rooted in our deep historical and cultural ties, and preserved through our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, health security, economic prosperity, and regional stability.

But I would concede that, in the aftermath of the war, the relationship became somewhat lopsided, one defined more by dependency instead of a strategic partnership between equals.  It should surprise no one the United States is the largest bilateral donor to Liberia, having provided more than $5 billion in bilateral assistance since 2003.  Much of that, of course, was to rebuild a country devastated by 14 years of brutal civil war.  It was U.S. assistance – along with support from other donor countries and institutions – that helped Liberia transition from a failed state to one of Africa’s most stable democracies.  In my view, that was money well spent.

In the 21 years since the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Liberia has clearly made great strides. I cannot overstate the significance of the first peaceful transfer of power between two elected presidents in over 70 years in 2017.  And last year, we saw it happen again.  Peaceful, free, and fair elections followed by a peaceful transfer of power.  Currently, you have a country where two former presidents choose to reside.  They are not exiled in some far-flung place. They still choose to live right here, where they once governed and where they continue to be active.  That is something to be recognized and applauded.  It sets Liberia apart from many other countries.

But more work needs to be done.  President Boakai took office pledging to tackle the remaining obstacles hindering Liberia from realizing its full potential, especially corruption and all that it spawns: impunity, lack of accountability, weakened rule of law, and economic stagnation.  The President has taken critical first steps, such as the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.  This court is essential to bringing long-delayed justice to the many Liberian victims, survivors and their families, of the civil war.  It is also an important step in ending the culture of impunity.

The United States is committed to supporting President Boakai and all Liberians in this courageous undertaking.  Addressing Liberia’s past is the only path to lasting stability and peace. This process won’t be easy.  It will require reopening painful wounds and memories. But if the court achieves its purpose, it will send a clear message that no Liberian is above the law.

Other efforts to root out corruption are equally encouraging.  Entities such as the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Internal Audit Agency are targeting bad actors and encouraging responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.  Of course, civil society also has a critical role to play in holding government officials accountable.

All of you have been taught, both at home and in school, the corrosive effects that corruption can have on a society, but probably the most significant is what it does to erode public trust in government. Sadly, corruption is still something many of us encounter on a daily basis by people who take advantage of power or privilege to line their own pockets.  It is insidious and harmful to the very foundation of Liberia’s democracy.  The economic impact is just as devastating, as few companies want to invest in a country that does not guarantee a level playing field for all.  I strongly echo the remarks former Deputy Foreign Minister Elias Shoniyin made last weekend at this university’s homecoming, when he urged a cultural shift that prioritizes ethical behavior, civic responsibility, and community engagement.  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

My time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Grand Bassa County over 30 years ago was a formative experience.  Back then, I had the privilege to work alongside many dedicated Liberian health professionals, people who showed up every day to work under difficult circumstances without any guarantee of a regular paycheck. These are the same people who inspire me to this day through their commitment, courage, and determination.  In fact, I am going to visit one of them when I travel to Buchanan next week.  He was technically my counterpart, but in many ways, he was my mentor. He showed me what hard work and commitment look like, as we traveled throughout Grand Bassa, often to remote villages that were only accessible by foot, to vaccinate infants and small children. It is difficult for me to come back, more than thirty years later, and see that many parts of Liberia are still just as hard to access by road, especially during the rainy season.  And many civil servants are still forced to show up for work without the certainty of a steady paycheck.  Many of the same problems I encountered then – corruption, poor infrastructure, and a lack of access to education and economic opportunity – continue to plague Liberia today.

So how do we fix this?

Of course, a transparent, accountable government is critical but equally if not more important is education.  Institutions like the University of Liberia and others are needed now more than ever before, especially in a country where the median age is 19.5. Liberia can only compete for foreign direct investment if it has a workforce with the skills, training, and education to succeed at that level.  Universities and vocational schools can provide that workforce.  Last week, I had the privilege to visit the hydro-electric plant at Mt. Coffee and, to be frank, I was blown away by the engineering and efficiency of LEC’s operation. I was equally impressed by the CEO’s vision to augment its capacity to provide in the near term sustainable energy through solar power.  LEC is a model for the future: Liberian-owned, Liberian staffed, and Liberian-led.

The U.S. government is proud to support Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its education sector, working closely with the Ministry of Education to expand access to quality learning. Through the Transforming the Education System for Teachers and Students (TESTS) activity, USAID is enhancing teacher pre-service training to ensure educators are well-prepared to deliver high-quality, inclusive education to Liberian students, supporting efforts to build a stronger educational foundation.  USAID is also providing 134 scholarships to future teachers at the William V. S. Tubman College of Education at the University of Liberia. In order to address the gender imbalance among teachers in Liberia, 113 of the scholarship recipients are women. There will be more scholarship opportunities for individuals aspiring to become early childhood and primary education teachers.  We understand a country’s greatest strength is its people and without access to education and the opportunity that it offers, Liberia will never fully reach its potential.

I want to close by saying all of you are at the end of an important chapter of your lives.  You are leaving this university with the tools and, I strongly hope, the sense of purpose to be the agents of change Liberia needs.  You are the entrepreneurs, public servants, and leaders of tomorrow, fully capable of setting Liberia on a path to self-reliance, and of encouraging it become the strategic partner America needs and values.

Through hard work and effort, you can change the trajectory of your country.  As you leave here today, I encourage you to dream, to think big, and to take chances.

You have a bright future ahead of you, and I wish you all the best as you embark on the next stage of your life.  Remember the United States remains your friend and partner, but all of you must be the agent of change your country needs for our relationship to be a true partnership.

Thank you.