The call was made by National General Secretary, Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr. in an address delivered at the annual conference of the Liberian Studies Association at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

Secretary General Zawolo lamented that while there are many Liberians who have volunteered and continue to volunteer, the lack of coordination stands as a major impediment to the full realization of the benefits of their endeavors. Mr. Zawolo further averred that the lack of a well defined structure and organization also undermines continuity and the opportunity to make future volunteering efforts less problematic.

The articulate General Secretary whose presentation was greeted with applause added that ULAA will shortly hold a national gathering of volunteer organizations to develop a coordinating body that will assume responsibility for the volunteering in Liberia. He named the Volunteers in Liberia (VIL) and the Volunteers Oversea Engineers of Liberia, two US based organizations as torchbearers in this initiative with whom ULAA is prepared to work.

Mr. Zawolo also used the occasion to embolden the participants at the Conference to join in the volunteering efforts. He indicated that with such rich and varied background in research, the scholars could provide a generational bridge by volunteering and thus sharing their expertise with the new generation of Liberian professionals. The Liberian Studies Association is a conglomeration of Scholars involved in research on Liberia and issues affecting Liberia. The group is the oldest professional Liberian organization in North America.

ULAA was represented at the Conference by a two-man delegation headed by National President Hon. Emmanuel S. Wettee. Dr. Amos Sawyer, former Interim President and Chairman of the Governance Commission was also in attendance at the two-day conference.

Dr. Sawyer delivered the Keynote Address at the closing of the first day’s session. Liberia’s Ambassador, H.E. Charles Minor delivered the Keynote Address at the closing of the Conference. Dr. Sakui Malakpa was inducted into office as President of the Liberian Studies Association. Dr. Malakpa recognized and commended President Wettee for the participation of ULAA in the Conference. The members of the Association unanimously agreed to host the next conference in Liberia.

Issued by the National Secretariat

Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr.

National General Secretary