Liberia honors Mirjam van Reisen

The government of Liberia has honored professor Mirjam van Reisen, occupant of an endowed chair at Tilburg University, with a Golden Image Award. Van Reisen was presented with the distinction in recognition of her efforts to help women end conflict in Liberia and other countries.

Liberian Vice-President Joseph N. Boakai presented Van Reisen with the award during a ceremony in Monrovia attended by a large gathering of Liberian and international guests, which also included Rector Magnificus Philip Eijlander of Tilburg University. Following the ceremony, Van Reisen and Eijlander met with the country’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Sirleaf accepted the professors’ invitation to pay a visit to Tilburg University in November 2012.

Van Reisen has been instrumental in helping women leaders in Africa and other conflict regions demand their rights under UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Among other things, the Resolution calls for the institution of legal proceedings against anyone who commits violence against girls and women. As the frequent victims of armed conflicts, women can play an important role in resolving and preventing conflict situations. Resolution 1325 recognizes this, investing women with the right to take part in peace negotiations. Van Reisen dedicated her Golden Image Award to the victims of armed conflicts and their continuing faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel of violence.

Van Reisen’s current research focuses on the impact of UN Resolution 1325. She has authored numerous publications on the role of Europe in the post-Cold War international political arena and is also the founder of the Brussels-based Europe External Policy Advisors (EEPA) knowledge center, bringing together European foreign policy expertise. As professor of International Social Responsibility, she was appointed to the Marga Klompé endowed chair at the Tilburg School of Humanities in October 2010. Working in collaboration with Prof. Ernst Hirsch Ballin and Dr. Conny Rijken of the Tilburg Law School, Van Reisen is also involved in a study on the victims of human trafficking, which is being commissioned by the inter church organization for development cooperation, ICCO.

Van Reisen and Eijlander were in Monrovia for several days to discuss possibilities for cooperation with the University of Liberia. With its recent history of civil war, Liberia is facing a severe shortage of academic staff. Tilburg University hopes to help alleviate this shortage in fields that are in high demand in Liberia in which the university can provide specialized training, including economics, management and international law.