Here at Enough, we often swap emails with interesting articles and feature stories that we come across in our favorite publications and on our favorite websites. We wanted to share some of these stories with you as part of our effort to keep you up to date on what you need to know in the world of anti-genocide and crimes against humanity work.
The conflict-free movement is off to a strong start in Canada, with outspoken activists taking the lead to raise awareness about the connection between consumer electronics and the conflict in Congo, and thus laying the groundwork for their country to take concrete action. Writing for the Huffington Post's Canadian edition, Josh D. Scheinert calls for an initiative in Canada similar to the Dodd-Frank Act in the United States: "No legislation or certification program exists in Canada and Canadian consumers are in the dark. There is no excuse for government inaction. We know too much to do nothing."
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organizations Susanne Nossel argues in Foreign Policy for a pragmatic approach from Western governments to the recent election of Uhuru Kenyatta, who is facing war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court, as Kenya's next president. After considering the impact of the ICC process on Kenyatta's (provisional) victory (pending a court petition being filed by the runner-up), Nossel warns:
Western diplomats need to be careful in supporting the process of international justice while not interjecting themselves into Kenyan politics in a way that grinds the quest for accountability to a halt.
The Institute for Security Studies published a briefing on the evolving realities of peacekeeping in Africa. Annette Leijenaar recommends both systemic changes and some adjustments to standard operating procedures, in particular with regard to improving coordinating with U.N. mandated missions and regional partners.
A team of young Sudanese launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds for "a short film to inspire a generation." They plan to screen "Our Sudan" at a TEDx talk in Khartoum in April, and they are well on their way, already surpassing the £11,000 goal they set. In their words, the aim of making a film that showcases narratives about Sudan other than the typical stories of conflict and poverty is this:
Peoples' sense of what is possible is key to unlocking this potential. Sudan's youth need to start to re-imagine Sudan and its future – to believe that things can be different and that it is in their power to make that difference.
In a video for Aegis Trust, former United Nations official Mukesh Kapila talks about his new book on the failure to act on Sudan and speaks critically about institutions and members of international organizations who have not risen to the tasks given to them. He embarks on a mission to tell the story of Darfur to "anyone who will listen" and through the best method possible: the media.
Aarthi Gunasekaran contributed to this post.