GEP - Current Events Email - November 1, 2008

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Dear Teacher:

Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our World Savvy Monitor, www.monitor.worldsavvy.org.

Conflict in Eastern Congo (DRC)

The United Nations Security Council called an emergency session recently to discuss the ongoing conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Tutsi rebel forces, led by renegade General Laurent Nkunda, are converging on the provincial capital Goma. Thousands of civilians and hundreds of government soldiers are fleeing, creating a potential humanitarian disaster. The UN peacekeeping force, already the world’s largest at 17,000, is stretched thin, and the situation is further complicated by competition for rich natural resources in the eastern region. The Congolese accuse Rwandan forces of crossing the border to assist the rebel forces, and Rwanda has invaded Congo twice in an effort to stop the Hutu militants responsible for the 1994 genocide from operating from there. Even though civil war in the DRC technically ended several years ago, these simmering conflicts are preventing the country from recovering, and are continuing to add to the humanitarian suffering of Congo’s citizens.

Advanced Article: Reuters
Intermediate Article: BBC
Beginning Article: CNN

Background and Multimedia: What caused this crisis in the first place?
Intermediate to advanced backgrounder: Behind the Financial Crisis - www.globalization101.org
Beginner and multimedia: What are the causes of this conflict?
Q&A: BBC, Reuters
Analysis: BBC, The Economist
Video: Al Jazeera
Effects on Wildlife: National Geographic

Discussion Questions:

1. In late October 2008, what events are happening in Congo?
2. Who are the domestic (from Congo) and international actors (outside Congo) in this conflict?
3. What is the UN worried might happen?
4. What do you think it would be like to live in this part of Congo?
5. Do some research to think about the history of Congo and how it impacts the conflict there today. For example, how does the 1994 Rwandan genocide relate to this current conflict? Are there other historical issues that are a factor in the current conflict?
6. In your opinion, what should the United Nations do? What role do you think the United States should play?

Free Curriculum:

1. Learning Africa: What are conflict resources? www.learningafrica.org
2. NYTimes learning: A Simulation to Reaching a Resolution in Congo and the Neighboring Countries www.nytimes.com
3. PBS Wide Angle: Democracy in the Rough www.pbs.org

Curriculum for Purchase:

1. Colonialism in the Congo www.choices.edu
2. PBS: Addressing Sexual Violence in War www.pbs.org

California Standards:

World History: 10.9 - Cold War, 10.10 - Contemporary Nation-building

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