Media Release
11 May 2000
context.co.nz
starts tracking the situation in Sierra Leone.
With work experience in Sierra Leone in 1995, the editor of context.co.nz helped coordinate an emergency feeding
programme for under 12 year olds and their mothers in the inland city of Kenema, context.co.nz hope to provide some
insight into a seemingly intractable conflict.
Why should New Zealanders follow events in Sierra Leone?
This conflict is shaping up to be a crucial test for the United Nations peacekeeping system.
Major western powers have been trying to build peacekeeping operations using smaller countries(particularly African
nations), to help resolve some of the longer term regional conflicts.
Perhaps there are lessons for us to learn as with expand our peacekeeping profile as in East Timor, Bougainville and the
Solomons?
In the coming weeks, context.co.nz will attempt to tie these threads together as part of a wider effort to provide
insight into other conflict zones such as Sri Lanka, The Solomons, Bougainville and East Timor.
Phil Doherty, editor
Tel: 04 476 2829
Fax: 04 476 2831
Email: pdoherty@ihug.co.nz