AGREEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

BETWEEN

THE UNTIED METHODIST CHURCH SIERRA LEONE (UMCSL)

AND THE

THE METHODIST CHURCH SIERRA LEONE (MCSL)

INTRODUCTION

Sierra Leone is a country that has over the past eight and a half years, experienced one of the worst rebel atrocities in the history of Mankind.  With the relentless effort on the part of all peace loving persons and organizations both in and outside the country; and through the kind and Devine intervention of God the Almighty through the power of Jesus Christ his only son, we are now talking about the Peace Process.

The manifestation of a window of opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the Conflict in Sierra Leone has created the rightful environment for the rehabilitation and resettlement of homes and families through reconciliation, repentance and forgiveness.  The time has now come when the lives of people of Sierra Leone need to be rebuilt.

Throughout the course of the Sierra Leone crisis, the two Methodist Churches; United Methodist Church – Sierra Leone (UMC – SL) and Methodist Church Sierra Leone (MCSL) with the invaluable support of its International Partners continued to play crucial roles in seeking the welfare of not only its membership but also other war affected members of the wider community in the country.

With the realization both on the part of UMC – SL and MCSL on one hand and their International Partners on the other that there is a need for Effective Co-ordination of effort and resources inorder to give a meaningful assistance to the war affected people of sierra Leone in rebuilding their schattered lives; a consultative meeting was organised during which it was strongly recommended that the two Churches should work collectively in tackling the ernormous task of rehabilitation and resettlement leading to sustainable development.

On the basis of this mutual understanding which developed at the Wuppertal Consultative Meeting, this "Agreement of Principles" is therefore made between the Methodist Church Sierra Leone (MCSL) and the United Methodist Church – Sierra Leone (UMC-SL) within our Northern Partners serving as Guarantors.

1.0 OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES

1.6 Operations under this 'Agreement of Principles' are seen in the context of a long-term strategy aimed at jointly addressing the underlying causes of conflict, poverty and spiritual disintegration among communities in Sierra Leone after eight and half years of civil and armed conflict.  The two Churches therefore commit themselves in reversing this unfortunate backward trend in their respective areas of activities.

1.7 Achievements and progress of this collaboration and joint work for selected communities in Sierra Leone will be measured in terms of efficient management of resources.  Communities acceptance of joint initiatives and readiness to participate in the rebuilding process to be embarked upon; and readiness/willingness on the part of Donors to make necessary and timely contributions towards the joint effort.  A peaceful and resettled population with improved livelihood and spiritual growth should also be a sign of achievement by the two Churches.  A strong and efficient management capacity will also indicate achievement and progress.

 1.8 Both UMC-SL and MCSL will open Joint Bank Account(s) with two signatures from both sides.  This (these) Account(s) is (are) to be used solely for the purpose of joint project work.

1.9 All contacts with external partners on joint work through correspondences (letters, faxes and e-mails etc.) meetings etc. will be shared among the two collaborating churches.  Minutes, reports etc. resulting from such contacts will also be made available to all concerned; including interested donors.

3.1 MCSL will use its already established Development expertise and facilities to help the process of setting up of the UMC-SL Development desk.

3.2 The Development Desk will supply all necessary technical information, data and documentation at any time required by all parties for Planning, Fund Raising, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation purposes.

3.3 MCSL will be prepared to share necessary resources with UMC – SL and Donor partners where this is required/needed to carry out specific functions within the mandate of this co-operation.  Temporary Use of Services of skilled personnel is among others here contemplated.

3.4 MCSL will co-operate with government and other humanitarian and development NGOs at field level and with UMC – SL field officers who may be interested in having information on humanitarian and development activities that may be on-going or planned in its operational areas.

 3.5 MCSL seeks approval from all relevant decision-making committees within its administrative domain for all projects/programmes that will be jointly entered into together with UMC-SL.

4.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS

4.1 Inorder to avoid duplication of effort and inefficient use of resources, each of the two partners will lead the joint projects/programme team in its own operational area(s).

In the process of project/programmes implementation each party to this agreement is liable for the restitution of resources or parts of resources which is/are not properly accounted for in its own area(s) of operation.

4.2 This 'Agreement of Principles' may be modified by mutual agreement through either by letters or consultative meetings or both.

4.3 Any question(s) or disputes/disagreement between the UMC – SL, MCSL and the Northern Partners arising out of this 'Agreement of Principles' or during the process of programme implementation shall be settled by mutual agreement among these parties.

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