Its official now so I can post it. This months Mobile Monday New York is going to be a very special one being that my friend Bukeni Tete Waruzi (Beck) from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be speaking to those lucky enough to attend about mobile technology in Africa and the ways in which the can and is being used for human rights issue, specifically on the issue of child soldiers. In the past, he has spoken before the US Congress and the UN General Assembly and Security Council

I first met Bukeni at at the MobileActive conference last October (pictured above). We have met up several times since then and I plan on taking a trip to the DRC sometime soon to explore the mobile situation there a little bit better myself.

A native to he eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, Bukeni is the director and founder of AJEDI-Ka/Project Enfants Soldats, a local organization working in Demobilization and Reintegration of child soldiers in Uvira region, south-kivu province, eastern DRC since 1998.

Bukeni is, actually, completing a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at Chaire UNESCO in Burundi, a part his bachelors degree held at UEA Bukavu (DRC) in economics.

He is also a filmmaker on human rights films (especially on child soldiers), Bukeni has produced films on child soldiers which are worldwide attractive. His videos are used as a tool of human rights advocacy and serves in human rights campaign in DRC in order to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers. The films are presented in different gathering around the world, and to key decision makers such as UN, US Congress, to scholars and researchers in children and armed conflict.

Recently, Bukeni has implemented the use of cell phones in AJEDI-Ka/PES for monitoring and reporting on child rights violations.

I hope to see you all at the event if you are in the area.

It’s all free, and happening this coming Monday, August 28th, 7-9 PM at the Samsung Experience Center (in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle).

here]

Technorati Tags: africa, ajedi-ka, bukeni, congo, democratic republic of congo, project enfants soldats

International | Mobile | Non-Profits
Justin Oberman's blog | email this page | delicious | digg | technorati