Boston College Students Kick Off National Week of Action for Northern Uganda

200 students crowded into Boston College’s McGuinn Hall on Tuesday to kick off Uganda-CAN’s student movement week of action—A Lifetime of War; The Opportunity of a Lifetime. For as long as we have been alive, the people of northern Uganda have been caught in the middle of Africa’s longest-running war. As our lives in America unfolded - first days of school, tryouts for the school sports team and term papers - our brothers and sisters in northern Uganda have faced a very different reality.

BC’s Uganda activists used concurrent timelines of how life in northern Uganda and America has unfolded over the past 21 years. They constructed a 30 foot timeline complete with the stories of two people who grew up half a world apart, but whose stories are now linked as they are both committed to a future of peace in northern Uganda. Grace Akallo, a World Vision spokesperson, shared her experiences as an abductee of the LRA and her fierce hope for peace in northern Uganda. Joanne Wu, who serves on the leadership of BC’s Uganda-CAN chapter, also shared her story, illustrating how American students have the ability to positively affect situations around the world by approaching them with resolve.

Our peers in northern Uganda have known a lifetime of war, but we refuse to stand by and allow violence and instability to haunt their future as well. Last July, peace talks began in Juba, South Sudan, as the Ugandan government and the LRA came to the table to negotiate an end to the conflict. This to be the best opportunity for peace in Uganda since the war began 21 years ago. It is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Join BC next week and be a voice for peace in northern Uganda. For information and resources on how to bring A Lifetime of War; the Opportunity of a Lifetime to your campus, please contact Desiree Fair at desiree@resolveuganda.org

'Invisible Children' video sparks reaction for victims in Uganda

By: Chelsea Lankes Issue date: 4/2/07

Texas A&M's organization Global Justice is aiming to raise awareness of humanitarian efforts by hosting screenings of the Invisible Children documentary Thursday through Saturday in the Memorial Student Center. Invisible Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and money for bringing peace to the Northern Ugandan people.

The Invisible Children documentary was made by three young men who decided to travel to Africa in 2003. They were in search of a story and found it in Gulu, Uganda.

Their film depicts the story of the children of the Acholi Tribe in Gulu. Many of these children were abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a force whose primary goal is to overthrow the Ugandan government. Also called the Rebel Army, the LRA then brainwashes the children to become killers and provides them with guns to inflict violence and murder wherever and whenever commanded.

Rebecca Fortson, a member of Global Justice, said she was inspired to participate in Invisible Children when she saw what the children in Gulu were going through.

"It ignited interest in me," said Fortson, a sophomore psychology major. "It takes you off guard because it's different than anything we've ever experienced. It's like a call to action, but also this feeling of helplessness."

Will Deaver, a sophomore kinesiology major, said the documentary opened his eyes and made him want to help out.

"After viewing this documentary, I felt not only an obligation to help the children and the people of Sudan, but to help this organization to bring awareness to other people," Deaver said. "I knew of the turmoil in Africa and of on-going civil wars, but nothing comparable to what this video has shown me."

The Invisible Children screenings are organized as tours throughout the United States. Thirteen teams in different regions of the country set up screenings for high schools, colleges and the public, said Jenna Strauffer, who travels with the tour.

"We focus a lot towards high schools and colleges. Different crowds will react differently," Strauffer said. "It's amazing to hear what people are willing to give up to make a difference."

The screenings raise awareness of the issues, as well as money to fund the efforts of the organization. The money provided goes toward the Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign, which provides jobs for men and women in Northern Uganda.

Strauffer said the reach of the program extends beyond the children abducted by the LRA. Invisible Children also assigns mentors to children in Northern Uganda. These mentors encourage the children academically and provide life counseling, aiming to slowly change culture and help end poverty by training the children that are the country's future.

"The people of Northern Uganda want their kids to be educated," Strauffer said. "It's not just a band-aid, but a lasting change."
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Click the link to watch the Video Clips of Students at work to support Children of Northern Uganda:


1. Invisible Children - GNC Atlanta

2. Invisible Children: The Proof 2006

3. WARDANCETHEMOVIE

4. FILMMAKER PROFILES from Sundance Channel: WAR DANCE

Andrea Nix Fine and Sean Fine talk about their film WAR DANCE (Documentary Competition).

5.Latimes photographer Francine Orr reported from the troubled region in September 2003 and April of this year. These are her images from Uganda.
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Knoxville Jazz for Justice is gathering Momentum!

Acholi Traditional musical instrument

Acholi Heart Beat Troupe from Gulu, Northern Uganda to perform at the Knoxville Jazz for Justice- a benefit concert for the children of Northern Uganda in October 07.

Plan are underway to scheduled Dr Phoebe Abe and the Acholi Heart Beat, Chuck Davis' African-American Dance Ensemble and A7 performing together in Atlanta, GA, Harlem, NY--the Capitol of Africa Renaissance-in Boston, MA, in Los Angeles, CA, Durham NC, Washington DC, Chicago, IL, new Orleans, LA, on Oprah, etc., would be the ultimate African Culture and Renaissance Extravaganza!!!

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CHILDREN OF NORTHERN UGANDA

Each night, children between the ages of 3 and 17, referred to as "Night Commuters" or "Night Dwellers" walk up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) from IDP camps to larger towns, especially Gulu, in search of safety.

Initiatives to raise international awareness for these children include the "Gulu Walks" and the work of the Uganda Conflict Action Network. Night commuters are also the subject of documentaries such as Stolen Children, Wardance, and Invisible Children.

The Global Night Commute (GNC) was a worldwide event organized by the makers of the film Invisible Children through the organization Invisible Children Inc. The GNC took place on April 29, 2006. Youths from around the world walked to city centers and spent the night in parks to show support for Ugandan children who walk every night into city centers attempting to avoid capture by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

Extracted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/

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Read the latest news and podcast about northern uganda from here:

Uganda-CAN's Courtney Howard Featured on WBFO Radio's Listener Commentary

Acholi Heartbeat for Knoxville International Jazz Festival

ACHOLI HEART BEAT FOR KNOXVILLE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

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Dr Abe brings mixture of updated songs from her childhood as well as several of her own compositions, marrying African rhythms with the freedom of reggae and Jazz. An interesting brand reminiscent of what Paul Simon achieved with his "Graceland" Album. Dr Abe grew up in Gulu, born to the Acholi tribe, she was raised

within a powerful culture, rich with heartfelt songs and colourful energetic dance. Dr Abe fled Uganda in 1972 during the Idi Amin era. She has been a General Practitioner in the UK for the past 20 years. With a Masters Degree in Tropical diseases.

Dr Abe's husband Wilson Okwonga a respected Consultant surgeon, died in an unexplained helicopter crash in 1983. Due to the political unrest in Uganda a lot of the Acholi tribes cultural attributes have been suppressed. In the last 10 years Dr Abe has worked in camps for internationally disposed people, among other charitable causes she counsels in the UK.

Dr. Abe has a whole troupe that can be sized down and will overwhelm and be the attraction of the festival. Dr Abe's Acholi Heart Beat dancers and musicians are children who have survived the IDP Camps; many of them have excelled beyond imaginable obstacles just to survive. Having them perform and dance and tell their story will be an experience without equal. You can visit Dr.Abe My Sapce from the link below:

http://myspace.com/docabe

The Uganda-CAN Student Movement

The Uganda-CAN Student Movement is a student initiative dedicated to a peaceful resolution of the 20-year war and humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda. We believe that through sustained grassroots activism and effective political advocacy we can generate momentum for a responsible international response to the crisis and help achieve a sustainable peace in the region. Click on the links below to start or join a northern Uganda student advocacy group.

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Take Action: Organize a NU Advocacy Group | Fundraise | Contact Your Representatives | more

Connect: Join a NU Advocacy Group Near You | Updates and Upcoming Events | Hollerback

Get Informed: Conflict Background | Political Advocacy | How Your Reps Vote | Reports and Resources | more

About Us: Meet the Team | Mission Statement | Partners | Contact Us

http://www.ugandacan.org/student_movement.php

Knoxville Students and Faculty Use Music and Lobbying to Aid Northern Ugandan Children

Students from University of Tennessee Knoxville Campus see http://www.knoxjazzforjustice.org/.
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(Top row, L to R) Students Dave Whitehead, Erin Bernstein and Lauren Sampsell; a volunteer for the Northern Uganda Girls' Education Network;the Rev. Canon John Peterson of Washington National Cathderal who also serves as dean of the Cathedral College Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation; students Chris Martin and Jim Dolbow; George Piwang-Jalobo of the Janani Luwum Institute for Peace and Development Studies; Professor Rosalind Hackett; (bottom row, L to R) Students Holly Dagnan, Nikki Crane, Lindsay McClain and Lauren Bernstein
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Through music and political lobbying, students and faculty on the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus are finding creative ways to help the children of war-torn Northern Uganda.

A new music CD -- with Professor Rosalind Hackett as executive producer, student Chris Martin as artist and several faculty members among the performers -- has been released to raise money for benefit efforts.

In addition, a team of UT students led by Hackett traveled to Washington, D.C., in mid-February to attend a service focusing on the Northern Ugandan crisis at the National Cathedral. This summer, some students plan to go to Northern Uganda to see the situation for themselves. Hackett, a religious studies professor, is a specialist on the religions of Africa. She lived for several years in West Africa, but her visit to Uganda in 2004 was a turning point in her life. "The war in Uganda is Africa's longest-running war, and it has been described as one of the world's most neglected humanitarian crises," she said.

Past, present and future

Last summer, Hackett learned that former UT artist-in-residence, renowned South African saxophonist Zim Ngqawana, was playing at a Chicago jazz festival. Working with UT's music department, Hackett brought Ngqawana to Knoxville and organized a Northern Ugandan benefit concert, Knoxville Jazz for Justice, around his visit. Held on Sept. 1, 2006, the concert drew more than 600 people to World Grotto in downtown Knoxville. It raised about $5,000 for relief efforts in Northern Uganda.

"The concert also became a rallying point for students who were aware of the situation in Northern Uganda, as well as those who wanted to learn more about it," she said.

Recently, the students worked with Hackett and local musician and producer Carlos Fernandez (altrumusic.com) to create the Knoxville Jazz for Justice CD featuring tracks donated by the concert performers and others who support the cause. Contributors include Ngqawana; Fernandez; Grammy-winners Jeff Coffin and Victor and Roy "FutureMan" Wooten of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones; UT's Donald Brown, Mark Boling, Keith Brown, and Rusty Holloway; the Hector Qirko Band; Nuevo Montuno; the Mitch Rutman Group; the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra; the Yonrico Scott Band; Rich Walker; Ira Sullivan; and bass vocalist Jonathan Blanchard.

Proceeds from the CD will benefit the Northern Uganda Girls' Education Network, a group of Ugandan teachers, caregivers, and leaders who provide education for underprivileged and war-traumatized girls in Northern Uganda, and Uganda Conflict Action Network (http://www.ugandacan.org/), a U.S. student activist organization. The CD is available at www.cdbaby.com/kjfjvac, the UT Bookstore and Knoxville music stores.

Lessons come to life

UT students who have become involved with Knoxville Jazz for Justice and the Northern Uganda benefit efforts say they've learned that college students can make a difference in the world. In October 2006, some students traveled with Hackett to the Northern Uganda Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. "This two-day event taught us how to be stronger advocates and lobbyists," said Lindsay McClain, a freshman in Global Studies from Franklin. Erin Bernstein, a sophomore who went on the Washington, D.C., trip in February, said a humanitarian worker told her that UT's efforts are recognized in Northern Uganda.

"One woman who worked for the NUGEN said that the little girls who are benefiting from the proceeds of Knoxville Jazz for Justice call themselves 'University of Tennessee girls.'"Bernstein said the students' efforts give new meaning to the phrase "Ready for the World," the name given to UT's initiative to expand international and intercultural opportunities on campus. "We’re throwing ourselves into this vast world, and we’ve already started to change it," Bernstein said.

Chris Martin, a sophomore, said students are looking for more ways to use music to help the situation in Northern Uganda, such as sending musical instruments to children in Gulu to promote psychosocial healing. They're also seeking new ways for musicians and music-lovers in the Knoxville area to use music as a form of activism, something Martin calls "engaged entertainment."

For Hackett, seeing students unite to help Northern Uganda and make Knoxville Jazz for Justice an ongoing effort has been thrilling. "These students don't just want to be globally aware, they want to be globally engaged," Hackett said. "They're learning they can do more than get involved -- they can make a difference. It's so heartening to me as a professor who has been here 20 years. This is far beyond anything the students or I could get from the classroom."

For more information about the Justice Project and other UT efforts to benefit Northern Uganda, contact Hackett, rhackett@utk.edu or see http://www.knoxjazzforjustice.org/.

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About the war:

For the past 21 years, the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government have been at war in Northern Uganda. According to Uganda Conflict Action Network (UgandaCAN), about 2 million Acholi -- the people who live in the war-torn region of Northern Uganda -- have been forced from their homes by government troops and sent to squalid camps where hundreds have been dying weekly. The LRA is known for kidnapping, raping and forcing children and youth into armed combat. Trying to avoid this fate, at the peak of rebel activity, thousands of Acholi children hiked miles each night from their villages into Gulu, the main town in the war zone, where they slept in camps set up by humanitarian agencies.
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Contacts:
Rosalind Hackett, (865) 974-6980, rhackett@utk.edu
Amy Blakely, (865) 974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu