1. Making Campuses Conflict-Free
The Conflict-Free Campus Initiative is a nation-wide campaign to build the consumer voice for conflict-free electronics – cell phones, laptops, and other devices that do not finance war in eastern Congo. It calls for the influence of student leadership and activism to convince university officials and stakeholders to commit to measures that pressure electronics companies to take responsibility for the minerals in their supply chains, which have been contributing to the ongoing war in Congo. Universities are also a large client for most electronics companies and represent a large portion of the buyers' market for consumer electronics. By raising a big voice as consumers, we can actually bring about a shift in corporate and government policy and help bring peace to Congo.
2. End the Violence Against Women
The United States along with the United Nations, European Union, and African Union must promote efforts to start a strong peace process by stepping up diplomacy and demobilize armed groups. They need to also fund programs that provide protection for these women, which will help to end sexual violence. One major step that needs to be taken is to pass the International Violence Against Women Act.
3. Support Better Livelihoods for Miners
Impoverished Congolese miners and their families are often entirely dependent on their meager income from mining, and they currently have few reliable economic alternatives to lift them out of this severe poverty. International investment should be stepped up in agricultural development initiatives and providing accessible education for these miners to enable them to pursue other ways of making money.