Peace in Uganda Forum
Joel Schmidgall
May 31, 2007 · 9:25 AMHere’s an interesting event regarding the LRA and the possibility of peace in Northern Uganda. It might be worth checking out if you have the time. Thanks for the heads up Michael!
Northern Uganda: Peace on the Horizon?
Featured Speakers:
Ryan Gosling, Academy Award®-nominated actor; currently writing and producing a film on northern Uganda
Betty Bigombe, Senior Fellow, United States Institute of Peace
Jimmie Briggs, Journalist and Author of “Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War”
Michael Poffenberger, Executive Director, Resolve Uganda
Laren Poole, Founder and Filmmaker, Invisible ChildrenPlease join us for a conversation about the ongoing conflict in northern Uganda and prospects for peace in the region. While some progress has been made in Uganda - with a recently renewed cessation of hostilities agreement and an agreed upon roadmap for comprehensive solutions to the conflict - the situation remains fragile. Success will require leadership from the international community, especially the United States.
Come hear Ryan Gosling, John Prendergast, Jimmie Briggs and Betty Bigombe discuss their recent trip to Uganda; watch Laren Poole’s brief film produced by Invisible Children; and learn about tools for taking action to help bring peace to Uganda from Michael Poffenberger.
Monday, June 4th, 2007
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Food will be served at 6:00 p.m.Location:
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to McPherson Square or Red Line to Metro CenterPLEASE RSVP
For more information, contact Keisha Senter at 202-682-1611 or .
Rowdy Rebeca
Jun 01, 2007 · 10:53 AM
I RSVP’d for this event (still waiting to hear back if I got a spot). I hope to make it and see some of you there!
Rebeca
Lori
Jun 03, 2007 · 7:54 PM
I’ve RSVP’d and have received confirmation. Will see you there Rebeca. Anyone else going?
Lori
Rowdy Rebeca
Jun 05, 2007 · 2:50 PM
Hello Group,
I attended the dicussion on Northern Uganda last night and wanted to share my thoughts with you all (Lori, didn’t see you, must have been swallowed up by the masses).
Most of the room was filled with 20 somethings, mostly women (I have a feeling that Mr. Gosling’s presence had something to do with this).
The discussion focused on 5 passionate people that have been involved in trying to educate others about the conflict in Northern Uganda. I was highly moved by Betty Bigombe, a native Ugandan who has been working for the past 30 years to help her people. Michael Poffenberger, a recent college graduate who’s life’s work is to bringing political change to the region, also offered great points of views.
We saw the short film “The Invisible Children” which was very moving and descriptive of the plight of the millions of people that have been displaced by the violence in Northern Uganda- and what kids here in the USA are doing about it.
Major themes discussed during the panel were the importance of educating Ugandan youth about conflict resolution and peace education as a means to solve conflict. Issues discussed also revolved around the importance of the United States in sending a representative to help with peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). Some form of peace talks have begun, mostly led by the Acholi people of N. Uganda (importance was given to Ugandan youth starting a movement and the role of elders in guidance). In the last few decades, NOW is the time that this conflict is at it’s closest point of being solved by peace negotiations.
As a result, it was stressed that NOW is the time that WE all need to do something to help the peace process. The most important thing that we can do here in the USA is to write a letter to our representatives, urging them to respond and take action to stop the violence affecting so many millions of people. The panel also briefly touched on the unfortunate fact that it may take miliary action to bring this long standing conflict to an end, and that for long term peace to prevail, Ugandan’s must feel that justice has taken place for a country that has been ravished for so many years.
Rebeca
Jun 05, 2007 · 3:16 PM
Hey All,
I found this action packet for Northern Uganda that provides great information on what we can do to get involved. It even provides example letters that can be printed out and sent to the President and other representatives.
Download the PDF