Searchers in the Spotlight

2006

John Kollie

Talking Drum Studio Senior Producer, Liberia Selected for National Endowment for Democracy Fellowship

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has announced the selection of the 2006-07 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows, providing for 5 months study in Washington DC. John Kollie, Senior Producer of Talking Drum Studio in Liberia, was one of 18 new fellows who were selected out of more than 300 applications for a Fellowship.

The notification read "You should feel extremely proud of your achievement to be included in this group. You are at the top of a truly outstanding group of activists, journalists, practitioners, and scholars committed to promoting democracy worldwide."

John hosts the popular weekly discussion program One Step Beyond, where he is particularly known both for asking the tough questions and for his fairness. He hosted all of the candidates for round-table discussions on his radio program during the recent presidential campaign. His program was the only one where the two final candidates -- George Weah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - agreed to appear together.

2005

Steve Utterwulghe
The Executive Director of our European Headquarters, was recently elected Chairman of the Steering Committee of the European Peace Liaison Office (EPLO).

Shamil Idriss
Was elected Vice-Chair for Programmes at the Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution (AICPR).

Michael Shipler
The coordinator of our Children and Youth division. received the Peacemaker Award for Commitment to Building Peace at Individual, Local or Global Levels. The Award was presented by American University's International Peace & Conflict Resolution Program; the Peacebuilding & Development Institute; and the Center for Peacebuilding International.