MEDIA ADVISORY: KAIROS Delegation Heads to Democratic Republic of Congo – Examines Gender-Based Violence and Mining
Attention: Business, Foreign, Mining and Religion Journalists
Toronto/For Immediate Release
June 12, 2013
WHO: KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
WHAT: “Women of Courage” Delegation to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The delegation is comprised of church and labour representatives from Canada, KAIROS staff and partners in the DRC, Kenya and Burundi.
‘Women of Courage’ DR Congo Tour web page
Names and biographies of the delegation.
WHERE: Bujumbura, Burundi; Bukavu & South Kivu, DRC via Rwanda; and Kinshasa.
A detailed itinerary is available on request.
WHEN: June 16 to 29, 2013
WHY: Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the worst humanitarian, human rights and gender based sexual violence contexts in the world. The violence has been fuelled in part by conflicts over control of the rich mineral deposits of eastern DRC. Many of these resources are used in the manufacture of electronics and other consumer products that support Western lifestyles.
The purpose of the delegation is to witness what is happening on the ground, demonstrate solidarity with KAIROS partners there, raise awareness and explore possible solutions to the crisis.
The delegation will be hosted by long-time KAIROS partner Héritiers de la Justice, a human rights organization in the eastern DRC that operates a legal clinic to combat gender-based violence of girls and women. It is one of the groups impacted by cuts to funding for KAIROS by CIDA in 2009. A delegation blog and web page with detailed information and resources are available.
KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization, representing 11 of Canada’s mainline churches and church related agencies. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights and ecological sustainability.
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Media contact:
Adiat Junaid
Communications Program Coordinator
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
ajunaid@kairoscanada.org
Tel: 416.463.5312 x 223
@MediaKAIROS
www.kairoscanada.org
Louise Stafford, fsp
Responsible des communications CRC
CRC Communications Director
lstafford@crc-canada.org
Tél.: (514) 259-0856, ext. 109
Tél. Mobile : (514) 606-0856
www.crc-canada.org
