Pragmora Enewsletter
Peace Correspondent

Conflict In Focus
DR Congo - Conflict Escalation

Between 1998 and 2008 more than five million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo died because of the war and its aftermath. The formal end of the war brought hope for peace and democracy. In recent months, however, armed conflict has grown steadily in the east, while the new democracy is floundering.
DR Congo Campaign Image
• Conflict in the Eastern Region. The FDLR rebel group (a remnant Rwandan Hutu organisation) was never fully defeated. Mai Mai community 'self-defence' groups are popping up again, but now with an aggressive agenda, attacking villagers and even killing UN peacekeepers. And the notoriously brutal Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has crossed the border from Uganda into the DR Congo.

• Out of Control Soldiers. Those who are supposed to protect the civilians behave like rebelslooting, raping, and mining conflict minerals for personal gain.

• Absence of Rule of Law. Crimes are not punished. Civilians, soldiers and rebels alike know they can act with impunityand do.

LEARN MORE

Conflict Headlines
PAKISTAN
Conflicting Interests
Since September 11th, the Government of Pakistan has supported the US war in Afghanistan – out of fear of reprisals if it didn’t. But nonetheless Pakistan is paying a big price. MORE
STAY INFORMED

Follow Pragmora on Twitter – we provide links to reputable sources that provide the latest news on the situation in the DR Congo, and on other conflicts and troubled regions around the world.
COMING SOON...
In early 2011, Pragmora will be ready to launch a full-fledged campaign, Peace in the Congo.

We will also add information to our website on the conflicts in Somalia and Pakistan. Core research for both conflicts was conducted by Loes Weijers, Pragmora's terrific Research Intern, who recently returned home to The Netherlands to complete her graduate studies.

Planning The Peace
 
E-cards are a great way to let someone know you're thinking about them over the holiday season – and to donate to a great cause in their name at the same time. We have four beautiful online cards for you to choose from.

This year, 100% of holiday e-card donations will be directed towards the development of Pragmora's Peace for the Congo Campaign.

Not sure what an e-card is? Wondering how to send one to your favourite aunt in England? Want to select an e-card now?
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!


The Latest
There are lots of ways you can help Pragmora move forward with its peace education program, and Peace for the Congo advocacy campaign…
Focus on Volunteer
Ben Poynton
"Peace, power, and righteousness."

 
"Peace, power, and righteousness. These are the reasons why I got involved with Pragmora. It is rare when you are looking for volunteer work that an organisation really speaks to what you want to do with that endeavour.

"Pragmora is a perfect fit for me because I genuinely feel as though my efforts will genuinely have an effect in bringing about a world freed from war."

Ben enthusiastically roots for the "life-span reducing" Liverpool Football Club, is learning to play Supertramp on the guitar, holds a Master of Laws in International Development Law & Human Rights from the University of Warwick, and is Vice Chair of the Pragmora Peace Action Team Planning Committee. Ben was lured to Canada by his girlfriend – who is now his wife. Our gain!

Learn how you can join Pragmora's work for peace.
VOLUNTEER FOR PEACE


What is Pragmora?
Pragmora is a new international peace organisation that bridges the gap between policy experts and grassroots peace activists. Our mission is to develop pragmatic, non-violent measures to prevent armed conflicts, and then to get those solutions into the hands of activists around the world. Pragmora is both a policy think tank and an advocacy group. www.pragmora.org

 
DECEMBER 2010
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