December 2009 Notes
Congo Action Now
Democratic Republic of Congo Committee
December 13, 2009
Present: Coleen Houlihan, Kelley Ready, Samba Halkose, Maman Jeanne, Linde Rachel, Pat Aron
Congo Action Now held an informative and productive meeting on December 13, 2009. The meeting began with check-ins. Pat then introduced Linde Rachel, president of Ensemble pour les femmes, a French organization that works to raise awareness of the crisis in the DRC and to support women there who are survivors of sexual violence. The organization is located in the Eastern Pyrenees and is part of the local government. It focuses on educating youth. Members did presentations to high school-age, at-risk youth and found that the youth wanted to get involved. Some of them are now researching conflict minerals.
Ensemble also works with an association of local leaders in the province of Maniema, DRC to support women there. Linde stressed the importance of direct contact with survivors of sexual violence. Linde is not aware of any conflict minerals legislation in France - she will get letters in support of conflict minerals legislation off our website and will distribute them in the U. S. Maman Jeanne said that French President Sarkozy wants to give the eastern DRC to Rwanda – she will provide information about her contacts in France to Linde. Linde informed us of the availability of funding from the UNIFEM Fund for Gender Equity. We decided to partner with Ensemble pour les femmes - we will add Linde to our email list.
The group began to plan for our second house party. Our next house party will be held at Kelley’s house in Dorchester on Sunday, January 31, at 2:00. Kelley will again use Evite for invitations. We will present the same program we followed at Jackie’s house party, including an overview of the situation in the DRC, a screening of part of The Greatest Silence, and a presentation by Samba.
Pat discussed the Congo Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009 (HR 4128) which has been introduced into the House by Rep. McDermott of Washington. Pat talked with Rep. McDermott’s aide who felt that this bill is stronger than the Senate version. A bill must be finalized by the end of 2010. CAN will be listed as an official endorser of the bill. The aide suggested that CAN come to Washington to meet with representatives and educate them about the bill. Pat will provide Maman Jeanne with contact information for the aide – she has been meeting with legislators.
The group continued our discussion of possibly bringing the play Ruined to Boston next year. Maman Jeanne has contacted the New York staff to ask if they will be able to come to Boston – she hasn’t yet gotten a response. They may be able to do a reading if not a full performance of the play. We would need to identify a venue, pay the performers, and cover travel and other expenses. There are many unanswered questions about what else we would need to provide. The possibility was suggested that CAN assist the Shalupe Foundation which is taking the lead with this project.
Maman Jeanne announced that a Congolese conference will be held in the Boston area on the weekend of January 16. She will send around an invitation – people may contact her if they are interested in attending. Shalupe will be sponsoring an event each month in 2010 leading up to a march for Independence Day on June 30. In July there will be a Congolese festival in Boston on City Hall Plaza.
Kelley has been informed that Sen. Kerry has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Congo Conflict Minerals Act - she had met with the senator’s staff on November 9 to talk about the need for the legislation and to deliver our petition. She will make an appointment with Sen. Kirk’s office to urge that he sign on as a co-sponsor – she will let us know the date so some of us may join her.
The group began to discuss possible activities for next year (list attached). People may want to send comments to the group by email before the next meeting. We will also need to develop a budget for 2010 expenses.
The next meeting of CAN will be on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain. Our agenda will include identifying activities for next year and developing a budget.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Democratic Republic of Congo Committee
December 13, 2009
Present: Coleen Houlihan, Kelley Ready, Samba Halkose, Maman Jeanne, Linde Rachel, Pat Aron
Congo Action Now held an informative and productive meeting on December 13, 2009. The meeting began with check-ins. Pat then introduced Linde Rachel, president of Ensemble pour les femmes, a French organization that works to raise awareness of the crisis in the DRC and to support women there who are survivors of sexual violence. The organization is located in the Eastern Pyrenees and is part of the local government. It focuses on educating youth. Members did presentations to high school-age, at-risk youth and found that the youth wanted to get involved. Some of them are now researching conflict minerals.
Ensemble also works with an association of local leaders in the province of Maniema, DRC to support women there. Linde stressed the importance of direct contact with survivors of sexual violence. Linde is not aware of any conflict minerals legislation in France - she will get letters in support of conflict minerals legislation off our website and will distribute them in the U. S. Maman Jeanne said that French President Sarkozy wants to give the eastern DRC to Rwanda – she will provide information about her contacts in France to Linde. Linde informed us of the availability of funding from the UNIFEM Fund for Gender Equity. We decided to partner with Ensemble pour les femmes - we will add Linde to our email list.
The group began to plan for our second house party. Our next house party will be held at Kelley’s house in Dorchester on Sunday, January 31, at 2:00. Kelley will again use Evite for invitations. We will present the same program we followed at Jackie’s house party, including an overview of the situation in the DRC, a screening of part of The Greatest Silence, and a presentation by Samba.
Pat discussed the Congo Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009 (HR 4128) which has been introduced into the House by Rep. McDermott of Washington. Pat talked with Rep. McDermott’s aide who felt that this bill is stronger than the Senate version. A bill must be finalized by the end of 2010. CAN will be listed as an official endorser of the bill. The aide suggested that CAN come to Washington to meet with representatives and educate them about the bill. Pat will provide Maman Jeanne with contact information for the aide – she has been meeting with legislators.
The group continued our discussion of possibly bringing the play Ruined to Boston next year. Maman Jeanne has contacted the New York staff to ask if they will be able to come to Boston – she hasn’t yet gotten a response. They may be able to do a reading if not a full performance of the play. We would need to identify a venue, pay the performers, and cover travel and other expenses. There are many unanswered questions about what else we would need to provide. The possibility was suggested that CAN assist the Shalupe Foundation which is taking the lead with this project.
Maman Jeanne announced that a Congolese conference will be held in the Boston area on the weekend of January 16. She will send around an invitation – people may contact her if they are interested in attending. Shalupe will be sponsoring an event each month in 2010 leading up to a march for Independence Day on June 30. In July there will be a Congolese festival in Boston on City Hall Plaza.
Kelley has been informed that Sen. Kerry has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Congo Conflict Minerals Act - she had met with the senator’s staff on November 9 to talk about the need for the legislation and to deliver our petition. She will make an appointment with Sen. Kirk’s office to urge that he sign on as a co-sponsor – she will let us know the date so some of us may join her.
The group began to discuss possible activities for next year (list attached). People may want to send comments to the group by email before the next meeting. We will also need to develop a budget for 2010 expenses.
The next meeting of CAN will be on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain. Our agenda will include identifying activities for next year and developing a budget.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom