Shelter City Lecture: Joseph Tsongo

Our guest, Joseph Tsongo, is a human rights defender who is dedicated to the empowerment of minorities and marginalized groups in Congo, where he confronts the intersection of environmental protection and human rights in the volatile region surrounding Virunga National Park.

Virunga is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to endangered species such as mountain gorillas and unique flora and fauna. Its preservation is crucial, not only for the local ecosystem but also for global biodiversity. Joseph will speak to the urgent need to protect this natural treasure amidst deforestation, climate change, and armed conflict.

He will also delve into the impact of rebel groups in the region, which recruit vulnerable youth, including child soldiers, to further their violent agendas. Through his organization, the Amani Institute, he empowers young people to reject these paths, fostering resilience and hope by promoting peace and sustainable livelihoods. His initiatives include "Adopt a Tree, Not a Weapon," which encourages young people to trade violence for environmental action.

Joseph will also introduce Jambo-Lab, his innovative platform that uses technology to support communities facing threats from conflict and climate change, and discuss his community radio station, a critical voice for human rights and environmental awareness in the region.

This lecture provides a glimpse into the resilience and courage of those working on the front lines of justice and environmental preservation, and the essential role that youth, community action, and technology play in transforming conflict into opportunities for peace and progress.

This lecture is organized by Dialogue Centre Omnium (Studium Generale) and the Shelter City Project. 

The Shelter City Project is a country-wide initiative by Justice and Peace Netherlands, in cooperation with Dutch cities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which aims to protect human rights defenders. Human rights defenders stand up for their own rights and those of others. This is a difficult struggle. Often, they run great risk: they are silenced, arrested, tortured, and sometimes simply disappear. When human rights defenders are threatened severely because of their work, they are eligible for a three-month stay in one of the Dutch Shelter Cities. Besides providing rest and respite, their stay in the Netherlands allows them to continue their work in a safe environment. In addition, they enlarge their professional network of civil society organizations and political connections in The Hague, Brussels, and elsewhere. Furthermore, the human rights defenders participate in training courses to develop relevant skills. Moreover, through public events and workshops, they contribute to raising awareness about human rights among the citizens of the Shelter Cities.