Advocacy Focus: Congo Week
October 18-24, 2015
Breaking the Silence: Congo Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the devastating legacy of conflict in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo
Paul wrote in I Corinthian 12:26, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” Global Ministries, as a member of the Body of Christ, suffers today because of injustice and exploitation of our sisters and brothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are committed as members of the Body of Christ to break the silence, stop the pillaging, promote justice, defend women and children, protect the environment and support Congo.
What Can I Do?
- Plan a worship, education and advocacy event during Congo Week—to learn about, reflect, and take action to make a real difference in the Congo.
- Study the 2011 UCC Resolution and Disciples Resolution calling for “Reflection and Advocacy on Behalf of the Congo.”
- Read Advocacy Brief: Peace, Human Rights and the Conflict over the Congo’s Mineral Resources
- Learn more at Friends of the Congo and Enough Project’s Raise Hope for Congo.
- Organize your group to be “conflict-free.” Find out which high-tech companies are conflict-free.
- Participate in The Cell Out digital-fast to raise awareness about the violence caused by coltan mining in the Congo. The Cell Out is a cell phone boycott held from Noon – 1pm on the Wednesday of every annual Congo Week. It is designed to call attention to the use of rare natural resources such as the coltan in our cell phones. Armed groups in the Congo fight over the mining of precious minerals, and the international sale of these minerals helps finance the continuing conflict in the region. Facts about Coltan
Find out more background information on Congo Week here.