Week Update #3 - Week of 23 September 2008

Wow. I just realized how long of a hiatus this blog took - sorry about that folks. I shall try to do better in the future. But if it's any consolation, I am very well rested.

If you missed the meeting this week, you missed a lot. So here I am to catch you up.

First, the size of Tuesday's crowd surprised me. There are a lot of people coming in, which is great. Keep it up, guys!

Second, the proceedings of the meeting:

First, we watched two videos. Because of the room taken up by embedding videos, I'll give you a link instead.

• Uganda: The Long Wait - produced by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This video focuses on the return of the internally displaced from camps to their home villages and many of the challenges they face. This video sums up the purpose of Schools for Schools - even when the war is over, there will still be plenty of work to be done.
  
• IC/DC: Calling Out East Side - with Tim Shortley, the State Department's adviser for the Northern Uganda peace talks, promoting last semester's Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. , and discussing the role Invisible Children is playing in the peace process. The government has taken notice, and it's because of us.

Second, Parker gave us the news update, which, as always can be found at the Invisible Children site and Resolve Uganda. Unfortunately, the LRA abducted 90 children in a raid in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Almost immediately, President Bush scheduled a meeting with Ugandan President Museveni to discuss the problem.

Third, we heard from both sides of this year's election - where do Obama and McCain stand on Uganda, Darfur, Africa, and the issue of child soldiers? We encourage you to look into both candidates' foreign policy platforms and take their stances into consideration when you vote in November. But above all, we encourage you to vote.

Fourth, events. On Friday (3 October), we will be hosting International Coffee Hour with FIMRC (see Facebook for details). The event will last from 11 until 1. We need volunteers, so if you're interested in helping out, contact Josh Dunn (the one with the curly hair) to see what you can do: jadunn1@gmail.com. And, get excited! Our first benefit concert is coming up on Wednesday, 8 October. It will be at the Starbucks downtown (next to Five Star Day and across the street from the Arch). It's bound to be a good time for a good cuase.

Fifth, we wrote to our senators and representatives (find out who represents you). Congress is working on the Child Solders Accountability Act and we need your help to encourage them to pass it. Please, write a letter. Get your friends to write letters. The voice of the voters will be heard, especially in an election year.

Finally, we watched another video, TRI: Invest in Peace.


Shalom.