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The Forest Lungs of Africa - DRCongo is home to the world’s 2nd largest rainforest

20/21 March 2022

Guest speakers

Dr Michael Nest - author and expert witness

Award-winning author Dr Michael Nest served as an expert witness in the landmark International Court of Justice case of Uganda vs Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The February 9, 2022 ruling included damages for illegal exploitation of Congo's forests, wildlife and other natural resources, with Uganda ordered to pay $325m (AUD $449m) in reparations for its role in the brutal conflict between the two nations from 1998 to 2003.

Michael shared insights about the judgement and what it may mean for future conflicts involving environmental destruction. 

Discover how HandUp Congo is collaborating with a Congolese village located in the world’s second-largest rainforest. Learn how the remote village of Lotumbe is playing a role in forest conservation while fighting food insecurity.  

Ken Kobré - Photo and Video Journalist

Ken Kobré, Emeritus Professor of Photo & Videojournalism, Journalism Department, San Francisco State University shared some anecdotes of his Lotumbe adventures with Congo’s traditional hunter-gatherers, the Pygmies, as they seek sustainable beekeeping and other basic survival skills. More than 3,500 Pygmies, Congo’s Indigenous Peoples, live in hamlets around Lotumbe.

Amongst his accomplishments, Ken has produced a video documentary "Deadline Every Second: On Assignment with 12 Associated Press Photojournalists” which was broadcast in Europe, Australia, Israel, and the US to show the public what it takes to capture the great photojournalistic images they see every day.