Last week the Advocacy department went to an event called “Voices From Congo: The Road Ahead” at the Holocaust Museum. It was put on by the National Endowment for Democracy and the Eastern Congo Initiative. The speakers included: Cindy McCain, Ben Affleck (by video), Senator Richard Durbin, Scott Campbell from the UN, Annie Chebaya (Congolese activist), and others. The program was meant to bring people together who are interested in Congo and to discuss the current political and social atmosphere. It was good to see the room packed with people! While the two panel discussions were not particularly enlightening, it was clear that at least everyone agrees on most aspects of the conflict and what needs to happen in order to reduce civilian violence and lack of infrastructure, education, and healthcare. There was a consensus that the US needs to step up their game and sink their teeth into solving the conflict. More events like this will happen as we continue to join with our neighbors and work towards peace in Congo. Keep up the good work, whistleblowers!

-Tori