How to Stop Abuse in the Congo: Former African Affairs Director to Pose Solutions

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John Prendergrast

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, will speak at the University of Arkansas at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Arkansas Union Theatre. A reception will be held at the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union at 4 p.m.

After serving as director of African Affairs at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration, Prendergast’s personal mission has been to educate the world on the genocide and crimes that affect a number of African countries. This is the reason he helped co-found the Enough Project, which is an initiative to end all genocide and crime against humanity.

Prendergast and the Enough Project give practical ways anybody can solve this problem, and Prendergast will speak about some solutions for Congo at the university event. Congo’s abusive armed groups generate $183 million each year from trading minerals, money that fuels their attacks on the people of Congo. In the last decade, more than 5 million people have died and hundreds of thousands of women have been raped.

Prendergast’s resume includes working for members of Congress, the United Nations and human rights organizations. With the help of some celebrities, Prendergast has also co-written the book Not on Our Watch, co-founded the Darfur Dream Team Sisters Program, and consulted on scripts for several television shows and movies. Prendergast frequently travels to Africa and is a visiting professor at the University of San Diego, Eckerd College and the American University in Cairo.

Chancellor G. David Gearhart and Rep. John Boozman will be in attendance.

The event, which is sponsored by the Cultures and Concepts Committee of University Programs, is free and open to the public.