Editor’s Note: The following is part of a series entitled “Common Concern Reruns”, where I will re-post a host of material from the previous iteration of Our Common Concern on blogspot. Unfortunately, many of these issues are as pressing in 2008 as they were in 2007 — so please do read them through, share your thoughts, and get involved. A special thanks to all of the guest bloggers who made these posts possible.
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Thank You, and a “Breakthrough” in Darfur
(First published January 10, 2007)
Thank You, first of all, for the overwhelming response you gave to Our Common Concern in just a few days. Several of you have already posted unique ways to serve and offered some useful insights on Our First Concern, some of which I highlight below. It’s this kind of consistent interest that will make this blog work.
But first, an update from Darfur. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has successfully negotiated a 60-day ceasefire between the Darfuri rebels and the Sudanese government. Although Sudanese President al-Bashir again rejected allowing U.N peacekeeping troops to enter Darfur, the agreement is a significant breakthrough in the 4-year genocide. Not a panacea by any means, but evidence at least that our work matters and that we still have more to do.
To keep us working and, as one of you has said, “change the way we think” about Darfur, here’s some more ways to support Our First Concern:
1. Join the following two groups and, as your budget allows, donate a few dollars to support their concerns: the Genocide Intervention Network and the Save Darfur Coalition. Both groups have been instrumental in the Darfur peace process.
2. Lobby Congress to secure more funding for Darfur in Fiscal Year 2008. Darfuris will need more humanitarian aid, and the U.N. and African Union troops will need more financial support. All it takes is a phone call, so urge your congressman or woman to secure this funding in next year’s budget by contacting them here and here.
3. Finally, encourage companies to divest from operations in Sudan. Visit sudandivestment.org and consider urging your university to take action. Once I receive a list of companies that deserve scrutiny, I’ll post it here.
And thanks again for taking any action, because something is always better than nothing.
