April 2009 Notes
Democratic Republic of Congo Committee
April 5, 2009
Present: Jean Miller, Samba Halkose, Kelley Ready, Marie Jackson-Miller, Coleen Houlihan, Jane Ngondo, Valere Mangituka, Jackie Fletcher, Pat Aron
The first meeting of the Democratic Republic of Congo Committee was held on April 5, 2009. This was an enthusiastic meeting that started with introductions. It was announced that the group has officially been adopted as a committee of WILPF. People discussed their past involvement with DRC issues. Maman Jeanne and Samba provided information on the current situation in the DRC.
The major focus of the meeting was to begin to develop goals. The group discussed general goals and identified specific actions we may take to address them. (See attached draft of goals and possible actions.) The group will focus on political action while also helping women in the DRC.
The group discussed the need to educate ourselves on the issues and the history of the DRC. We will develop a reading list (articles, books, websites, possibly starting with King Leopold’s Ghost). Kelley will send out a student’s Powerpoint. People will e-mail annotated resources to Coleen ([email protected]) and she will compile them.
Much of the discussion focused on ways to raise awareness in the community of the DRC crisis. The group would like to hold a major event in addition to on-going activities in the community. The group needs to determine how we can work here so that it directly helps the people in the DRC. All actions will include information about donations. As a first step, we’ll bring donation items to each meeting. Women in the DRC need everything - Samba will report on what is most needed when she is in the DRC.
The group discussed targeting multinational corporations that are exploiting the DRC. Three corporations are located in the Boston area. We will need to research the corporations before taking public actions. Marie said that the BBC has had programs on the DRC – she’ll look into getting transcripts. There was some discussion of proposed bills – we need to find out their status and contact members of Congress. The group may have a letter-writing session in the future.
The ultimate goals in our work are to end the femicide and to end the war completely in the DRC.
Maman Jeanne will be presenting at a DRC conference in Cincinnati the weekend of April 11. Samba will be leaving for a trip to the DRC on April 22.
The next meeting of the group will be on Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain.
April 5, 2009
Present: Jean Miller, Samba Halkose, Kelley Ready, Marie Jackson-Miller, Coleen Houlihan, Jane Ngondo, Valere Mangituka, Jackie Fletcher, Pat Aron
The first meeting of the Democratic Republic of Congo Committee was held on April 5, 2009. This was an enthusiastic meeting that started with introductions. It was announced that the group has officially been adopted as a committee of WILPF. People discussed their past involvement with DRC issues. Maman Jeanne and Samba provided information on the current situation in the DRC.
The major focus of the meeting was to begin to develop goals. The group discussed general goals and identified specific actions we may take to address them. (See attached draft of goals and possible actions.) The group will focus on political action while also helping women in the DRC.
The group discussed the need to educate ourselves on the issues and the history of the DRC. We will develop a reading list (articles, books, websites, possibly starting with King Leopold’s Ghost). Kelley will send out a student’s Powerpoint. People will e-mail annotated resources to Coleen ([email protected]) and she will compile them.
Much of the discussion focused on ways to raise awareness in the community of the DRC crisis. The group would like to hold a major event in addition to on-going activities in the community. The group needs to determine how we can work here so that it directly helps the people in the DRC. All actions will include information about donations. As a first step, we’ll bring donation items to each meeting. Women in the DRC need everything - Samba will report on what is most needed when she is in the DRC.
The group discussed targeting multinational corporations that are exploiting the DRC. Three corporations are located in the Boston area. We will need to research the corporations before taking public actions. Marie said that the BBC has had programs on the DRC – she’ll look into getting transcripts. There was some discussion of proposed bills – we need to find out their status and contact members of Congress. The group may have a letter-writing session in the future.
The ultimate goals in our work are to end the femicide and to end the war completely in the DRC.
Maman Jeanne will be presenting at a DRC conference in Cincinnati the weekend of April 11. Samba will be leaving for a trip to the DRC on April 22.
The next meeting of the group will be on Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain.