Outreach in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Information and outreach activities in the DRC started in July 2004 with a preliminary information needs assessment and the gradual establishment of networks with relevant and reliable local partners.  After the team was set up in the DRC in 2006, outreach activities were conducted mainly in and around Kinshasa to present a clearer picture of the ICC to local authorities, NGOs and journalists. Since then, outreach activities have increased substantially in the DRC, always with the main objective of raising awareness in the communities most affected by the crimes being investigated. 

In 2007, outreach activities continued in Kinshasa and were intensified in Ituri – the region affected by crimes the Court is investigating – to enable the community to monitor and understand the ongoing judicial proceedings. Hence, after raising awareness in the Bunia community, the outreach team visited the other towns in Ituri, namely: Aru, Mahagi, Kasenyi, Goma and Mambassa.  

Outreach activities in 2008 will focus mainly on Ituri and the two Kivus because of the current court cases. Special effort will be made to ensure access to the proceedings of the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga, and the confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui.

Recourse to the media has turned out to be a very effective means of reaching out to the general public. Hence, TV docudramas and interactive radio programmes will continue to be produced and broadcast in French and the local languages. In addition, the dialogue already initiated with civil society and representatives of ethnic communities will be continued and enhanced at grassroots level. The outreach team will also organise information sessions for the groups that have not yet been targeted. 

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Communications Strategy for the trial of Thomas Lubanga

In order to publicize the first trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to make the judicial proceedings accessible to the general public and to the communities most affected by the crimes committed, the Public Information and Documentation Section (PIDS) has prepared this strategic paper which provides a rationale and framework for the activities to take place before and during the trial of Thomas Lubanga.

This document will be followed by the “Action Plan for Outreach” which will describe in detail the individual projects that will be delivered.

Communications Strategy for the trial of Thomas Lubanga
English | French