President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will deliver an address at the University of Toronto as part of her two-day visit to Canada on Thursday, March 29 at noon in the Great Hall of Hart House.

Johnson Sirleaf’s address, entitled “Stand With Us, Canada: What Gives Liberia Hope”, will focus on how Canada can help Liberia set an example for African nations emerging from conflict. Premier Dalton McGuinty will be in attendance and Janice Gross Stein, Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies, will moderate a question and answer period following the address.

“The University of Toronto has been engaged for decades in the scholarly study of Africa through our African Studies program, and recently has built partnerships on the continent to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic,” says University of Toronto president David Naylor. “We are honoured to welcome President Johnson Sirleaf and to hear her vision for the renewal of Liberia.”

Johnson Sirleaf is a Harvard-educated economist and the first woman to be elected head of state in Africa. Inaugurated as President in January of 2006 in Liberia’s first elections since the end of a 14-year civil war, Johnson Sirleaf is credited with taking steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment in the West African nation.


WHO: Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia

WHERE: Great Hall, Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle

WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2007 at noon