Francis Nyepon, an environmental-cum-social, economic and political analyst, and a prolific online media commentator has been nominated by the European Commission’s Lorenzo Natali Prize for his stupendous article on poverty reduction in Liberia.

                                          

                                             Francis W. Nyepon

Mr. Nyepon is among hundreds of contestants aiming for top place that is expected to win him 50,000 Euro, if he wins the first prize. He was selected in a survey conducted by the European Commission staff for his article reinforcing the theme of Global poverty reduction.

Nyepon's article discussed the core factors to reducing persistent poverty in Liberia, which he believes hold the key to unlocking the persistent challenge with sustainable development. The article further explores the dynamics of structural poverty not from the view of micro and macro economic levels of constraints that limits growth, such as stagnation, unemployment, poor production, and lack of access to markets, or from the undisputed understanding that the majority of Liberians are materially poor; but rather, from a perspective, which integrates and adopts an environmental-based approach that deals with the shocks in public health, sanitation, safe drinking water and hygiene promotion as necessary first steps to reducing poverty.

Mr. Nyepon further noted that past approaches towards sustaining development have failed to generate broadly based economic growth needed for sustainable poverty reduction; and indicated that foreign investment enterprises, (Firestone/BF Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company, Liberian-American Mining Company (LAMCO), Brussels Airlines, Bong Mining Company, the Liberian International Ship Registry (LISCR), Liberian Agricultural Company, and the conglomeration of under-priced and under-performing GSM mobile operators, the notorious Oriental Timber Company (OTC) among others), have failed average Liberian because their focus has only been to exploit the country's considerable natural wealth and resources without any consideration for institutional, infrastructural and manpower development.

According the Liberian social and economic analyst, “poverty in Liberia has predominantly been a rural and peri-urban phenomenon, having its roots in policy and institutional failure due to corruption, cronyism and mismanagement, which caused over 85% of Liberians to have no access to basic health care, sanitation, safe drinking water, and hygiene, making these factors fundamental and critical to our persistent challenge with reducing poverty.”

In its nomination citation, the European Commission nominating committee states that the topic of Mr. Nyepon’s journalistic work meets precisely the themes defended by the Lorenzo Natali Prize, and recognizes his contribution to a sustainable way of effectively dealing with chronic poverty in his country.

Nyepon’s article, titled, “LIBERIA: The Nucleus to Reducing Poverty“ was posted on www.liberiaitech.com and www.theperspective.org on June 9, 2007. The Lorenzo Natali Prize nominating citation further states Mr. Nyepon’s piece demonstrates an authentication and passion to reducing poverty in Liberia in a realistic and practical manner.

The staff and members of the nominating committee said it is honored to have the likes of Mr. Nyepon nominated this year. Staff Maria Lopez said the committee wishes Mr. Nyepon a very good luck as he stands up against other candidates with equally strong journalistic work from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Arab World and the Middle East.

The Lorenzo Natali Prize was created in 1992 by the European Union to promote quality journalism in memory of the dedication of Lorenzo Natali, former vice-president of the European Commission in charge of cooperation for the development between 1985 and 1989.

The Natali Prize rewards journalists committed to Human Rights, Democracy and Development. It applies to journalists working for local media in one of the five following regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Arab World and the Middle East.

Initially, the award background document disclosed, the Natali Prize was organized for the written and online press, but this year, it is open to journalists from radio and TV station worldwide. An independent jury, made up of NGO representatives, leading journalists, and news agency representatives, will select 15 winners. The winners will be guests of honor of the European Union in November 2008.

The award presentation ceremony will take place during the 2008 European development days, and Louis Michel, will present the trophies and awards to the winners and reward the winner with over 50,000 € in prizes for the best works.