The Smith Center will host a World Forum presentation entitled “Conflict and Hope in the Congo” on Tuesday starting at noon in the Jackson Theater. The guest speaker, Bridget Nolan is an international expert on displaced populations and the former director of global strategies for HIV prevention Tuesday at noon. Influential nations in the world benefit from the vast resources coming from Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is a country that is still suffering with the effects of a series of armed conflicts and the breakdown of an effective government. Formerly known as Zaire, conflict in the DRC has resulted in an estimated 5.4 million deaths since the outbreak of fighting began in 1998. Deaths are mostly attributed to malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition. Indigenous natural resources in the DRC are diamonds, tin, copper, as well as the highly sought after mineral Columbite-tantalite (coltan), which is pertinent to the production of computers and mobile phones. A report by a United Nations panel and the U.N Security council described the trade in coltan as having “social effects akin to slavery,” citing the exploitation of labor, expropriated riches and the denial of rights, all of which have contributed to the conflict in the Congo. The Ohlone College World Forum series has invited the college community to engage in dialogue about important global issues since 2005. The Smith Center will host a World Forum presentation entitled “Conflict and Hope in the Congo” on Tuesday starting at noon in the Jackson Theater.The guest speaker, Bridget Nolan is an international expert on displaced populations and the former director of global strategies for HIV prevention Tuesday at noon.Influential nations in the world benefit from the vast resources coming from Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).It is a country that is still suffering with the effects of a series of armed conflicts and the breakdown of an effective government.Formerly known as Zaire, conflict in the DRC has resulted in an estimated 5.4 million deaths since the outbreak of fighting began in 1998. Deaths are mostly attributed to malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malnutrition.Indigenous natural resources in the DRC are diamonds, tin, copper, as well as the highly sought after mineral Columbite-tantalite (coltan), which is pertinent to the production of computers and mobile phones.A report by a United Nations panel and the U.N Security council described the trade in coltan as having “social effects akin to slavery,” citing the exploitation of labor, expropriated riches and the denial of rights, all of which have contributed to the conflict in the Congo.The Ohlone College World Forum series has invited the college community to engage in dialogue about important global issues since 2005. Then-Ohlone President, Dr. Doug Treadway, shared the following statement regarding the event, “When world problems seem overwhelming, merely thinking about them may lead to despair. History shows that people can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles by taking small steps together over a long period of time.” “Attendees, whether they are students, faculty, or members of the community gain awareness of issues ans become motivated to reconsider the world in which they live,” said Sarah Daniels, who works in the President’s office. Daniels continued, “World Forums are one more way that Ohlone college promotes ongoing education for everyone.” The Congo forum will be held on March 2 at noon in the Smith Center. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
By DENISE ANN BURGAN
Staff writer
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