Establishing justice for the people of D.R. Congo is critical to its transformation as a nation, particularly in these early years of democracy. During the last week of July, CI-UCBC hosted a conference facilitated by Christian lawyers from the DRC, USA, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Burundi to work with approximately 50 Congolese lawyers, judges and government officials from North Kivu province. Several notable government officials attended the conference in addition to the facilitators.
The four day conference addressed strategies for dealing with rule of law issues ranging from land reform and sexual violence to integrity and independence of the Congolese judicial system. It resulted in a number of “firsts” for CI-UCBC and DRC. It was the first time that international justice organizations such as Advocates International/Advocates Africa, International Justice Mission and African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry (ALARM) had come to Beni or to CI-UCBC. The conference resolutions called for the formation of Christian lawyer groups for the first time in the cities of Beni, Bunia and Butembo. Finally, in a significant vote of confidence and trust in CI-UCBC, the delegates resolved that CI-UCBC be the facilitating institution to coordinate the new city groups (including how they will connect in the future with other NGOs in the region). The city groups will be local fellowships of lawyers and judges which will provide not only encouragement and discipleship within the local group, but also a forum for addressing rule of law issues at the grass roots level.
On the final day of the conference, the lawyers from each of the six nations planted trees at CI-UCBC to symbolize the unity of the lawyers in seeking justice for D.R. Congo. They also participated in a servant-leadership work project by buying the materials and providing the labor to paint one of the large student classrooms at CI-UCBC. A palpable spirit of hope and commitment to employing Christian principles in the legal process in Congo was present throughout the conference.
Those attending will long remember the hope in the eyes of the bright, joyfu
l students at CI-UCBC! As one prominent lawyer from East Africa remarked,
"The sense of self awareness by the students and their deep understanding of their country's social, political and economic past is admirable. Each one of the students I spoke to is hopeful and taking personal responsibility within their own humble spheres of influence, to engage in contributing to changing the face of this great nation. I dare anyone who doubt this to spend a week shadowing the students and faculty of UCBC. This is a beacon of hope in the troubled Great Lakes region and is raising the leadership that is needed to transform Africa."
