Congo Analysts, Advocates Gather in D.C. for Field Briefing
Posted by Jayme Cloninger on Sep 23, 2011
After a week of business attire and meetings with policy makers on
Capitol Hill, the State Department, and the White House, activist and
actress Robin Wright helped convene a relaxed round-table luncheon
last week with Enough’s partner organizations to delve into a
discussion about the situation on the ground in eastern Congo. After
showing her video trip diary, Wright and two of her travel partners,
Enough’s Congo field researcher Fidel Bafilemba and Congo campaign
manager JD Stier, each offered impressions from their experiences
about the challenges Congo faces and the role that U.S. advocates can
play.
Discussion centered around the linkage between the extraction of tin,
tungsten, tantalum, and gold and the conflict in eastern Congo, and
the centrality of security and conflict resolution to sustainable
development.
The luncheon drew a diverse group of partners. World Vision, the
Franciscan Action Network, Free the Slaves, Africa Faith and Justice
Network, STAND, International Medical Corps, the International Rescue
Committee, American Refugee Committee, and UPstander International
each brought a unique perspective to the table for discussion.
Allyson Legnini, representing Franciscan Action Network, said that
Bafilemba’s insights particularly resonated with her:
Fidel has an incredibly unique position of being able to speak
from both a perspective of policy research and personal experience on
the issue. His illustrations of the issue really connect the policies
here and abroad with the individual lives of those who are truly
affected by them. It was a real pleasure to listen to his accounts as
well as Robin's.
The luncheon created a unique platform that should be replicated in
future events about Congo. With fresh insights from the policy
analysts in the room setting the stage, the event spurred an informed
dialogue between the Congolese voices, grassroots activists, and
analysts about pressure points that U.S. based advocacy efforts should
utilize.
It’s a rare opportunity to convene in one room with a diverse group of
people whose organizations are all involved in different ways in
Congo. Hopefully the event will inspire new partnerships and
collaboration.
Photo: Robin Wright speaks with Congolese journalist Chouchou Namegabe
(Enough/Alex Hellmuth)
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