Northeast Region
Meghan Battle (Boston College): meghan.battle@gmail.com

South Region
Patrick Corrigan (Notre Dame U.):
patrick.m.corrigan@gmail.com

West Region
Beth Tuckey (Kenyon College): beth.tuckey@gmail.com

One of the most important parts of advocacy work is having the capability and confidence to communicate with our government representatives. As citizens, we have the right to address our representatives with the issues we feel passionate about. As representatives, they have the duty to listen. So how do you know whether your representatives have an interest in Africa? How do you find out if they have supported legislation on issues that you feel are crucial to the well-being of Africa? Here are some ways to get started.

First, know who your representatives are. To find out, go to www.congress.org for your senators and www.house.gov for your house representatives.

There is no comprehensive list of all votes placed on African issues for each representative, so you may have to do some searching. A good place to start is with your representatives’ website. Explore their stances on issues and see if you can find anything under the headings of “foreign policy” or “humanitarian aid” or a similar heading. This will usually give you a clue as to how they vote on issues relating to developing countries and Africa.

Another great place to start is at www.govtrack.us, where you can search by representative or subject. If you find the “Africa (Sub-Saharan)” category, you can see all of the bills relating to issues such as ours and who sponsored or co-sponsored the legislation.

You can also visit the Library of Congress. Here you can type in a keyword (i.e. “Africa”) and find bills relating to it. Often, the introducers of the bill will be included in the text. The Government Printing Office provides a similar service if you like this method of searching.

Finally, The Washington Post has an Africa issues vote database. Each bill relating to sub-Saharan Africa is documented and vote roll calls are listed.

On October 10th join hundreds of citizens and advocates from across the nation as we call members of US Congress and urge them to offer symbolic and concrete support for the ongoing peace negotiations between the Ugandan government and the LRA. The US government will only fulfill its crucial role in holding the parties accountable to peace if we demand they do so!

Suggested script:

"Hi, my name is _____ from ______, and I'm calling to urge Senator/Representative _______ to do everything he/she can to see that peace talks currently taking place in Juba, Sudan between the Government of Uganda and Lord's Resistance Army successfully end the twenty year war in northern Uganda."

If the person asks for more specifics, say:

"Representative/Senator ______ should ensure that the State Department makes a statement of public support for the talks, and should support efforts to provide financial assistance to the negotiations as well as to people in northern Uganda to rebuild after the war ends."

Call the Capital Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to connect with your Representatives to ask for sustained US leadership to end the war in Uganda.

Click here for more information on the Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium.

whamo!

The Uganda Conflict Action Network (Uganda-CAN) student movement is a nation-wide community of college-aged advocates in partnership with the people of Uganda who are united in their effort to inspire more responsible U.S. policy towards the conflict in northern Uganda.

The movement encompasses Uganda-CAN student groups at various Universities along with all students and student-organizations working for peace in northern Uganda. Our goal is to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda and to take informed and effective action at the grassroots level to promote sustainable peace and development in the region. The Uganda-CAN student movement unites these groups so that with one voice, American college students can call for peace in Northern Uganda.

This website is primarily intended to facilitate communication and advocacy efforts by students. It serves to inform, network, coordinate, and empower students who share our passion and commitment to peace in northern Uganda in our mission of advocating. We encourage you to use the resources here and to communicate with each other so that together we can be effective advocates for peace in northern Uganda.

lo siento!

History

• A brief overview of the LRA conflict in Uganda.

Timelines

• Several timelines that detail different time periods and aspects of the conflict.

Political Advocacy and Legislation

• Political advocacy for peace in northern Uganda.

Great Lakes Region

• The LRA and northern Uganda: crucial to peace in Darfur and Sudan.

Land Insecurity in Northern Uganda

• An analysis of and resource for contentious land issues in northern Uganda.

Child Soldiers in Northern Uganda

• An analysis of the phenomenon of child soldiers in northern Uganda.

The Health Crisis in Northern Uganda

• An overview of the health crisis in northern Uganda's IDP camps.

Glossary

• Definitions of key conflict terms and actors.

Headlines

• Recent stories about the conflict in the news.

Maps

• Maps showing LRA activity, IDP populations, and international aid

Resources

• Links to reports, multimedia, and news sources.


• Links to advocacy and relief organizations.


• Uganda-CAN Interview Series

Voice your thoughts and share ideas at the Uganda-CAN Student Movement's blog.

Keep updated on upcoming events by checking the Uganda-CAN Student Movement's blog.

Join in!
Click on your region to get contact information for coordinators on your campus.

Northeast
South
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South
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West
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Join a NU Advocacy Group Near You
Updates and Upcoming Events
Hollerback

2006 Action Packets: Download Uganda-CAN's b>2006 Northern Uganda Action Packet and organize your community to help end the war.

Northern Uganda Faith & Action Kit: Download the Africa Faith and Justice Network's Northern Uganda Faith & Action Tool Kit and organize your faith community to pray and act for peace today.

The war in northern Uganda is in its 21st year. You can help make it the last. Here’s a list of the different ways you can take action:

Political Action:

Email Congress: Email a letter to your Congressional representatives through the Africa Faith and Justice Network web site, urging them to act responsibly for peace in northern Uganda. Click here to find out how your representatives have voted on African issues.

Call Congress: Call the Capital Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to connect with your Representatives to ask for sustained US leadership to end the war in Uganda. Click here to find out how your representatives have voted on African issues.

Sign Declaration: Sign World Vision's Children Should Never Be Soldiers Declaration, which will then be sent to US political representatives.

Sign-Up for Updates: Sign-up to receive Uganda-CAN's political action updates and alerts.

Community Action:

2006 Action Packets: Download Uganda-CAN's 2006 Northern Uganda Action Packet and organize your community to help end the war.

Northern Uganda Faith & Action Kit: Download the Africa Faith and Justice Network's Northern Uganda Faith & Action Tool Kit and organize your faith community to pray and act for peace today.

Invisible Children: Organize a screening of the documentary Invisible Children at your school or in your home community.

Uganda Rising: Organize a screening of the documentary Uganda Rising at your school or in your home community.

The Name Campaign: Buy a nameplate necklace and support The Name Campaign's efforts to help the children of war-torn northern Uganda.

Join the Uganda-CAN Student Movement and Represent Northern Uganda on Your Campus Today!

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.

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

Featured Student Movement Organizer
JoAnne Wu - Boston College