Hundreds advocate for peace in northern Uganda

This week, several hundred participants are attending the Lobby Days and Symposium for Northern Uganda in Washington, D.C.

This three-day event (Feb. 24-26) is bringing together concerned citizens from around the country to speak out for children affected by the 22-year war in that region — a war that has turned thousands of children into soldiers and sex slaves. World Vision is a key sponsor and co-organizer of this event.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the ongoing crisis in northern Uganda, and then urge policymakers to do what they can to end it.The event includes a daylong advocacy training symposium, where attendees will hear from experts on the northern Uganda crisis and other areas of conflict, as well as grassroots and media outreach. Event components are designed to increase understanding of the crisis and expand the movement by maximizing grassroots mobilization.

On the final day of the symposium, attendees will meet with congressional staff to press their lawmakers to do more to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict.


Can't be at the Lobby Days event yourself?

You can still participate -- through this blog! Over the next few days of the symposium we will be asking special "guest bloggers" to share with us their perspective on what is happening. Please check back over the next few days and read what they have to say, then add your own comments by clicking the "Comments" link at the bottom of each blog posting.

Please pray for peace in northern Uganda and that our government leaders would increase their presence as peacemakers. Together, we can say that peace is possible and that no child should ever be a soldier.

You can join your voice with these advocates by adding your name to our "No Child Soldiers" Declaration.

A child soldier in Uganda.

Photo by Jon Warren, copyright World Vision 2008.