Dynamics of conflict and forced migration in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Date: 12:00am, Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 12:00am, Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Presenter/Convenor: Héloïse Ruaudel

Location: St Anne's College, Oxford

Series: Conferences and workshops

At the end of November, the RSC hosted a two-day experts workshop on conflict and forced migration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event  was generously funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (DRC office) and DFID. 

Fifty practitioners, academics and policymakers from the DRC and beyond explored the relation between conflict, displacement, the return of populations and the interaction between armed actors and civilians.

Policy suggestions to end the vicious cycle of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence and displacement emanating from FMR 36 and the workshop were presented and discussed in the DRC. A debate held at the French Embassy in Kinshasa on 22 February was attended by 120 people including the Congolese Minister of Social and Humanitarian Affairs. The RSC delegation held various meetings with government officials, UN and local organisations in Goma and Bukavu as well.

A workshop report is now available as a PDF download in English and French

An accompanying photo exhibition, ‘No Peace of Mind- stories of displacement in the DRC’, displayed in Oxford in December 2010, is now available online.

For further information, contact: heloise.ruaudel@qeh.ox.ac.uk