A Strike Against Impunity in the DRC
A soldier stands guard outside the military tribunal in Baraka, DRC. (Pete Muller/AP)
In a country where impunity continues to be a major hurdle in the struggle to combat sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), a milestone was reach on Monday, when a military court in eastern DRC sentenced Lieutenant Colonel Kibibi Mutuare to 20 years in jail for charges of mass rape for his orders to troops to attack a village on New Years Day. read more…
What images would you share?
A woman holds a sign to protest the Libyan regime. Photo by an anonymous Libyan protester. (from npr.tumblr.com)
Yesterday, taking a cue from the revolutions of their neighbors, hundreds of protesters staged a “Day of Rage” in the Libyan cities of Baida, Benghazy, Zenten, Derna, and Ajdabiya. HRW reported that at least 24 protesters were killed by Libyan security forces.
Below are scenes from a protest in Tobruk, where demonstrators burn Muammar Qaddafi’s Green Book, which outlines his political philosophy and views on democracy. read more…
A Space for Discussion in Burundi
SFCG journalist Nunu Gréliane speaks with the Ngagara administrator on air while taking calls regarding neighborhood crime.
Radio is a large part of the strategy we employ in Burundi and SFCG’s Studio Ijambo has recently been honored by many sources for the quality of this programming. One of the programs we produce is a daily radio show about the youth of the country called Isanganiro Ry’urwakura, or “Youth Forum”. This program is produced in partnership with Radio Insanganiro in Bujumbura. Its format is a live, on-air discussion that encourages people from around the country to phone in with their opinions and suggestions.
On 14 Febuary, Isanganiro Ry’urwakura produced one such show looking at the current state of Ngagara district in Bujumbura, Burundi. read more…
Common Ground Awardees are Bridging the Divide
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see it yet check out USA Network and NBC News Special Correspondent Tom Brokaw’s Characters Unite Special. Tom Brokaw Presents Bridging the Divide looks at the current state of the nation on important issues such as race, religion, gender, sexuality, disabilities and bullying. The nation’s demographic changes, current economy, and the 24-hour news cycle are 
all considered in this documentary. Brokaw features both respected experts and ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work in our nations’ communities. Two of those featured are Eboo Patel and Luma Mufleh, who received Common Ground Awards in 2010 and 2009 respectively.
Named one of America’s Best Leaders of 2009 by US News & World Report, Eboo Patel is the founder and Executive Director of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC). Patel promotes interfaith cooperation around the world, bringing young leaders of different faiths together to serve their communities. IFYC is on college campuses across the nation, answering the call for a cooperative youth movement.
Luma Mufleh uses sport to bring youth together from war-torn countries. Mufleh created the boys’ soccer team, the Fugees, short for refugees. Coach Mufleh has made advocacy for refugees her life’s mission, initially tutoring English after school, she now operates a private nonprofit school called the Fugee Family Academy to help young refugees acquire the social and academic skills necessary to succeed.
Watch these and other stories of inspiration here.
Congressman John Lewis Recieves Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama presents Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the 2010 Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Yesterday, John Lewis (a 2009 Common Ground Award recipient) received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama in a ceremony at the White House.
President Obama said this year’s Medal recipients represent “the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.” The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, and is presented to people who have made important contributions to U.S. national security, world peace, culture or other significant public or private endeavors.
We congratulate Congressman Lewis for this well-deserved distinction, and we are honored to work with him on the launch of the Congressional Conversations on Race project, which is a joint project with the Faith and Politics Institute.
The Faith and Politics Institute and Congressman Lewis will soon lead their annual pilgrimage for Congressmen and Senators to Alabama during March 4 – 6. SFCG staff will help to lead dialogues assist pilgrimage participants in reflecting on their experiences. SFCG has also designed a special young adult component for the pilgrimage.
Since 1998, Congressman John Lewis and The Faith & Politics Institute have led ten bipartisan, interfaith Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimages to Alabama. These events have afforded over 120 members of the U.S. House and Senate this unique journey through the history of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Described by many participants as one of the most valuable experiences they have had while in Congress, the pilgrimages bring people together across political, religious, and racial lines, offering opportunities for engaged and reflective dialogue on the value of the Civil Rights Movement and its meaning for us today.
