MO*lecture: Who profits from Congo’s raw materials?

At the end of 2012, MO* got convicted to pay the total sum of € 5000 for having published a cartoon of the Belgian industrial George Forrest concerning a dossier on mining contracts in Congo. MO* did not let itself become intimidated by the entire event and called up its readers and sympathizers to finance a consecutive research on the Congolese mining industry. In merely a few days time MO* received the intended sum of € 5000.

On the 3th of December, the results of this new report will be presented to the audience, followed by a debate between experts in an attempt to figure out who, in the end, really profits from Congo’s raw materials.

David Van Reybrouck, renown author of ‘Congo, A History’, shall invite and guide, as Master of Ceremony, the other speakers in the ambient discussion.

Karel De Gucht, former Minister of Foreign Affaires, approved to be very critical of the Congolese authorities, and ultimately went to UN Security Council to plead for the traceability of raw materials. Throughout his nowadays function as Commissioner of Trade, he is still focusing on the entire issue, as most of the Congolese raw materials are still being exported.

Steven Spittaels is researcher at IPIS and collaborated on a wide variety of UN reports concerning the link between the imminent violence and raw materials in Congo.

John Vandaele, MO* journalist who published a wide range of articles concerning Congo, with special interests on the country’s mineral resources. The outcome of his recent research on site, will be presented to the audience as well.

Chrispin Mvano, born and raised in Kivu and publishes now and then for MO*, shall shed some further light on the entire issue of raw materials in eastern Congo. Does it bring wealth, or misery to the people?

Practical information

• When: 8h.30 pm , Tuesday the 3th of December
• Where: De Roma, Turnhoutsebaan 286, Borgerhout (Antwerp)
• Language: Dutch – French
• Entrance: € 5
• Reservations: www.deroma.be of 03 292 97 40 or at the ticket office: Turnhoutsebaan 327, 2140 Borgerhout.