Catholic Peacebuilding in the DRC
Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa
This event was held on July 8, 2020.
A recording is posted below, with English and French subtitles.
Throughout its colonial and post-independence history, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered periods of violent conflict. Violence has been caused by ethnic rivalries, rebel militia groups, political turmoil, natural resource exploitation, and disputes with neighboring countries. Amid the violence, the Catholic Church in the DRC has been a steadfast presence for peace, justice and development. Among its peacebuilding activities, the Catholic Church has monitored elections, mediated between warring opposition groups, provided peace education and training, and ministered to the millions of suffering and displaced victims of the country’s myriad conflicts. This webinar will discuss the Congolese Catholic community’s work for peace in the DRC, especially as new challenges like COVID-19 emerge, and examine how the experiences of Catholic peacebuilding in the DRC might provide insights and lessons elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pour voir les sous-titres français: cliquez sur l'icône YouTube dans la vidéo pour l'ouvrir dans un nouvel onglet; puis cliquez sur l'icône d'engrenage "paramètres" en bas à droite de l'écran vidéo, Sous-titres > Français.
To view English subtitles: click on the YouTube icon in the video screen to open in a new tab; then click the "CC" button at bottom right of the video.
Speakers
Mauro Garofalo, Director of International Relations, Sant'Egidio Community
Léocadie Lushombo, IT, Adjunct Instructor, Boston College Theology Department
Lisa Sowle Cahill
(moderator), J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College
John Katunga, Peacebuilding and Justice Africa Advisor, Catholic Relief Services
Rigobert Minani, SJ, Head of Research for Peace, Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance, Centre d'Etude Pour l'Action Sociale (DRC); Director of Jesuit Social Ministry, DRC and Angola
Sponsors
Boston College International Studies Program
Boston College Office of Global Engagement
Boston College Theology Department
Catholic Peacebuilding Network
Catholic Relief Services, Africa Justice and Peacebuilding Working Group
Centre d'Etudes pour l'Action Sociale
Institut Panafricain Cardinal Martino pour l'Enseignement Social de l'Eglise
Institut Supérieur de Paix et Réconciliation, Catholic University of Bukavu
International Federation of Catholic Universities Peace Studies Group
Jesuit Refugee Service
Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office on International Justice and Peace
For more information, contact Caesar Montevecchio (cmonteve@nd.edu) or Erik Owens (erik.owens@bc.edu).