OSU STAND fights for action in Congo
Raise Hope for Congo Enough Project campaign opens eyes to sexual violence, murder
Makenna Bishop
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: News
Students gathered Monday night in order to hear about the conflict in Congo in which 45,000 people are killed each month.
OSU Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) is a chapter of a national anti-genocide coalition. While the organization's main focus is on Darfur, the group has decided to extend their focus to Congo.
The Raise Hope for Congo Enough Project campaign is currently touring around the country in hopes of raising awareness of the country's current crisis. OSU STAND was contacted and asked if they would be willing to host an event. The group, as advocates for change, jumped at the chance.
According to the Raise Hope for Congo website, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the host to the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, with more than 5.4 million people killed.
Congo is caught in an epidemic of sexual violence where the militias use rape as a tactic of destroying communities and to gain control of the abundant natural resources. According to the website, the international response has been inadequate and is one of the reasons the campaign has been created.
"This is a crisis that is actually and actively happening now," said Alan Dennis, an OSU STAND member and faculty of the oceanography department. "It's a call to action, and we have a chance to stop this."
The campaign aims toward raising awareness about the crisis and protecting and empowering Congolese women and girls who have become victims of sexual violence. It is also to advocate for effective change and influence policy through peace, protection, punishment and prevention.
Angela Rampone, a junior in pre-nursing, is a member of OSU STAND and helped with the planning of the event. She said tragic crises that are similar to and are happening in Congo are everyone's responsibility.
"Things like this have been happening again and again," Rampone said. "This event is very informative and those in attendance will not only become more aware of what is happening, they'll be given ways that they can help, which is an important aspect of our events."
OSU Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) is a chapter of a national anti-genocide coalition. While the organization's main focus is on Darfur, the group has decided to extend their focus to Congo.
The Raise Hope for Congo Enough Project campaign is currently touring around the country in hopes of raising awareness of the country's current crisis. OSU STAND was contacted and asked if they would be willing to host an event. The group, as advocates for change, jumped at the chance.
According to the Raise Hope for Congo website, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the host to the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, with more than 5.4 million people killed.
Congo is caught in an epidemic of sexual violence where the militias use rape as a tactic of destroying communities and to gain control of the abundant natural resources. According to the website, the international response has been inadequate and is one of the reasons the campaign has been created.
"This is a crisis that is actually and actively happening now," said Alan Dennis, an OSU STAND member and faculty of the oceanography department. "It's a call to action, and we have a chance to stop this."
The campaign aims toward raising awareness about the crisis and protecting and empowering Congolese women and girls who have become victims of sexual violence. It is also to advocate for effective change and influence policy through peace, protection, punishment and prevention.
Angela Rampone, a junior in pre-nursing, is a member of OSU STAND and helped with the planning of the event. She said tragic crises that are similar to and are happening in Congo are everyone's responsibility.
"Things like this have been happening again and again," Rampone said. "This event is very informative and those in attendance will not only become more aware of what is happening, they'll be given ways that they can help, which is an important aspect of our events."
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