Friends of the Congo, the African Great Lakes Action Network, and other members of the African Great Lakes Coalition are hosting an all-day forum on Saturday, October 15, 2016, to commemorate the victims of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The event will consist of panel discussions, a keynote presentation and film screenings \culminating in action items for advancing peace, justice and accountability in the DRC and Great Lakes region of Africa. Speakers and presenters will include regional experts, survivors of atrocities, scholars, activists, practitioners, and members of the media, advocates, students, and the general public.
It has been 20 years since the DRC’s neighbors first invaded the country in October 1996 -an act of aggression so severe, it set in motion what became the deadliest conflict since World War II.
The second invasion in August 1998, coupled with the first one in October 1996, had an impact on an estimated 6 million people who perished; half of them were children under the age of five.
A special focus will be placed on the people of Beni in the North Kivu province of the DRC. They have borne the brunt of the ongoing conflict, especially over the past two years. Since January 2014, over 600 civilians have been killed due to militia attacks in the Beni territory.
When: Saturday, Oct 15, 2016
Time: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: ThoughtWorks
Where: 99 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10016 (Directions)
The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments and food will be served. Click here to RSVP!
Contact support@congoweek.org or call 202-584-6512 for more information! The event will be live streamed. Also follow on twitter using the hashtag #CongoWeek.
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Click here to participate in the Congo in Harlem Film and Performance Series!
