It is truly a pleasure to greet you. A special thank you is warranted to Virgil, Momo and the rest of the team at The Global Collaboration Center at Osaka University for organizing this event. From the photos collected and outreach you have done it is clear that you have done a commendable job of mobilizing the students and the Osaka community to become more aware of the situation in the Congo. It is very important for you to know that your efforts are a part of a global movement in support of the people of the Congo. This global Congo Movement is as important today as the free South Africa movement was yesterday.
The Congo issue is not just a Congolese or an African issue but is an issue of global concern. People of conscience around the globe are breaking the silence and speaking out about the tragedy that is taking place in the Congo.
Congos resources have long played a key role in world affairs and geo-politics. It was primarily from the Congo that the United States secured the uranium that was used in the Manhattan project that resulted in the dropping of the bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. During that time, Congos resources in destructive hands played a role in the deaths of Japanese civilians. Today, Congos resources are triggering the deaths of millions of Congolese.
The cell phones, lap tops, video games, digital cameras and numerous other electronics and technological devices that you benefit from, unfortunately play a role in the death and suffering that occurs in the Congo. Congos coltan, tin, tungsten, niobium and several other minerals are vital to the electronics and technology industries.
The Congo is a geo-strategic storehouse of minerals that are critical to the functioning of the modern world. Since its modern founding this has been the case. The scramble for Congos minerals resulted in the deaths of over 10 million Congolese in the late 1800s and since 1996, it is estimated that nearly 6 million people have died in the latest scramble for Congos wealth. The conflict in the Congo is the deadliest since World War Two. It is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world and a scar on the conscience of humanity.
Alas, the situation is not hopeless. Courageous Congolese are fighting day and night to bring about change in their land in spite of the enormous global forces working against them. It is for this reason we draw upon the prophetic words of our independence hero Patrice Lumumba when he said We are not alone. Free and liberated people from every corner of the world will always be found at the side of the Congolese.
We call on you to be at the side of the Congolese. Congo has tremendous potential and you can play a crucial role in working with us to realize Congos immense natural and human potential. There are several simple and key things you can do to play a constructive role in this global movement:
1. Learn more about the Congo and spread the word about the global movement that you are now a part of . Visit us at congoweek.org and freindsofthecongo.org. Join us on facebook, twitter, youtube and our other social networking sites.
2. Ask you political leaders to join with Canada, Sweden and Netherlands in putting pressure on Rwanda and other aggressor nations that have caused the Congolese people tremendous pain.
3. Demand that your businesses do not source minerals from the Congo and its neighbors until the killing stops
4. Become a friend of the Congo and sign-up to be a part of the global movement.
5. Organize delegations of politicians, businessmen and women, journalists, human rights activists, labor and women leaders to the Congo. Also, invite Congolese journalists, labor leaders and human rights activists to Japan.
Finally, make sure you participate in Congo Week II from October 18 24, 2009 and encourage students and community activists throughout the Japan to do the same.
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Living with a Japanese Host Familyby brotherannie53,267 views
viva congo
PATRICELUMUMBAS 1 year ago
Greetings,
I'm at Osaka University, and I wasn't aware of any events going on about this. I have never heard about what is going on in the Congo, and after looking it up, I am still not sure. Perhaps you could tell me briefly what is going on in the Congo and what is the cause of it.
Thank you
Kuroneko822 2 years ago