Survey: Top 3 solutions the grassroots should push to solve the crisis in Congo?
Some of my recent posts on conflict minerals have sparked some lively, substantive debate on the best solutions for Congo. Brilliant! Let’s continute the discussion on key solutions for Congo.
Several months ago, I had the great pleasure of meeting with the brilliant Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold’s Ghost and Bury the Chains, and expert on building social movements. He explained that every successful social movement has no more than 3 or 4 key “asks”/ levers to address the issue. Think “Ban Apartheid” or “Abolish Slavery”.
I have some solid ideas, but no easy answers. So I ask you- I’d love your thoughts: What are the top 3 actionable “asks” or levers the grassroots should push for to solve the crisis in Congo?
Anyone? Anyone?
I’ll post my thoughts after others have a chance to share!
Tags: Abolish Slavery, Adam Hochschild, Ban Apartheid, Conflict Minerals, Congo, DR Congo, DRC, King Leopold's Ghost, Lisa Shannon, Minerals, Policy, Raise Hope for Congo Campaign, Run for Congo Women, Social Movements
I am certainly no expert on political matters. I do not know what an affective “actionable ask” might be, other than I feel it MUST pertain to the horrific acts of sexual violence that are occurring. For me, once I heard the stories and saw the faces of the determined, resilient, strong women of Congo, they became embedded in my mind. So, the world needs to hear about the sexual terrorism, yet they also need to hear about the strength of the Congolese. It’s so hard to find the right word – “stop” or “ban” or “abolish” just do not seem strong enough – yet, what words would convey what is happening? – “stop the sexual terrorism in Congo” – “stop raping Congo’s mines and women” -
I think one of the problems right now of coming up with an “actionable ask” like “Ban Apartheid” is that the world is still learning about what is happening there. Back in the 70s most people didn’t know what “apartheid” was, but through information campaigns most people eventually came to know of it by the mid-80s. We take the word “apartheid” for granted now in that everyone knows and understands what it was, and it is specifically associated with what happened in South Africa.
If one comes up with a lever before enough people understand what is happening on the ground, it might not have the impact or meaning to the wider population… but at the same time it’s important to create one, but rely on it more as the information campaign begins to hit a critical mass. Maybe we’re close to that point.
I think the “blood diamonds” lever is a good example of this. I remember reading about what was happening in Sierra Leone, but the term blood diamonds had not yet surfaced. As I recall, it began to surface as more and more people had a kind of periphery knowledge of what was happening.
So, you’re asking, Lisa, what should the impact phrase be that truly grabs peoples attention once a critical mass of people understand or have periphery knowledge of what is happening in the DRC? Is this correct?
This is a tough task… I think a lot of discussion will need to go into it and some free flow thought, like “stop raping Congo”, “ban Congo’s blood minerals”, “ban Congo’s war minerals”,… footprints of Congo rape live in our cell phones (too long?)…
Any more? Kambale? Jim?
Here are the top three levers to solving the conflict in the Congo.
1. Pressuring Obama to make Congo a priority by taking diplomatic lead and calling for a comprehensive political solution as opposed to a “comprehensive insurgency” like the conflict mineral proponents call for. Convene a Great Lakes Conference in Washington, DC that brings ALL the players to the table, rebels and governments alike and of course civil society representatives. It was done for Sudan and it can be done for the Congo.
Grassroots Actions:
i. Letter writing campaign to President
ii. Meet with your Congressional Delegation and demand that Obama take a diplomatic offensive on the Congo
iii. Secure resolutions at city council level and have council members send the resolutions to Obama, Clinton and their Congressional Delegation
2. Call on the US to follow the lead of Sweden and Netherlands and pressure their allies (primarily Rwanda and Uganda) to be partners for peace as opposed to destabilizing forces in the Congo. Both the Economist and the New York Times editorial board have called on the US and England to threaten cut in aid if these two nations are recalcitrant.
Grassroots Actions: Same as #1 (i – iii) and in addition, write letters to Bill Clinton, Ben Affleck, Andrew Young, Cindy McCain, Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Tony Blair, Jim Sinegal, Stephen Kinzer and Rev. Rick Warren imploring them to call on their friend Paul Kagame to cease his destabilization and looting of the Congo and come to the table to talk peace. See sample letter at http://www.conflictminerals.org
3. US to hold its corporations accountable that have been involved in either fueling the conflict or exploiting the people. The companies are well known dating from 2001 to present (see http://www.conflictminerals.org)
Grassroots Actions:
i. Write letters to mining companies directly involved in fueling the conflict or exploiting the people – target the fattest cow – Freeport McMoran and call on OPIC to cease any further financing of Freeport with taxpayers monies. More US companies fueling the conflict in the Congo can be found on http://www.conflictminerals.org
ii. Divest (encourage pension funds to do the same) from ALL mining companies in Congo until the conflict comes to an end
iii. Divest (encourage pension funds to do the same) from companies trading in coltan, cassiterite and wolframite in Rwanda
iv. Divest (encourage pension funds to do the same) from companies trading in gold in Uganda
Most important of all LISTEN to the afflicted people and their experts, thinkers, philosophers, analysts, activists as opposed to the think thanks and humanitarian institutions in Washington who think they know better than the Congolese people. See the ask the African Section on http://www.conflictminerals.org
(1) I agree with Sid, increasing public awareness and educating people about the issue must be the highest priority. The only difference many times between those who are involved in these issues and those who are not is information.
Your appearance on Oprah proves this point — $4 million raised within a week simply because people now had information on the issue and how they could be a part of the solution.
(2) follows from (1): Citizens should put pressure on electronics companies and others for certified “conflict free” products and a transparent, audited supply chain.
(3) Pressure lawmakers to pass laws like those currently pending in the house and senate. I am less optimistic about the efficacy of this compared with the first two.
Oh… I got caught up and forgot about the “actionable asks.” Maybe trying to combine the concepts of the raping of the land/minerals and of the women…
1. Creating awareness certainly is one, which you, Lisa, are doing such and incredible job of.
2. Connecting to other “Lisa Shannons” around the world, particularly in countries where these minerals are used, such as India, which is the world’s largest market for gold (although I believe China may be right up there.) A majority of the gold traders in Uganda are Indians. The Indian government wields a lot of control over trade and business in India and because it is a democratically elected government, activism has always had strong roots in the political psychology of Indians. Maybe WfWI has contacts in India and/or other countries that are large consumers of the types of minerals coming out of DRC.
3. Get this issue onto as many talk show/news programs as possible. I guess this would qualify as “creating awareness.” When it hits a critical mass, politicians and consumers will act, and businesses will follow.
These are the things that come to mind right now, but if I think longer maybe something else would come up…
Anyone else… I’d love to read other ideas that people have!