On Wednesday, May 5th, LOKO International, the International Office and the North-South Students organize a debate about Congo and development cooperation. This will exceptionally take place in the city park of Leuven in the nice Kiosk. A sunny day has been ordered.

“History will one day have its say, but it will not be the history that is taught in Paris or Brussels, Washington or in the United Nations. Africa will write its own history.” These are the last words of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba before the opposite party executed him in Katanga. It is a sentence that gave me goose bumps when I was watching the feature film ‘Lumumba’; a sentence that could open a debate about Congo...

You stand critically compared to the Western definition of development cooperation? You question how ‘different’ other players on the rich field of Congo are? Or you think that African culture is still misunderstood? Or do you have other objections?

Are you especially preoccupied, as so many others, about the special nature of the most promising continent? Worried about their culture, that could have disappeared even before we would have been able to learn from it? Or do you know how we can help build a better Africa with the forces of our university?

On Wednesday, May 5th, you are invited to join the debate regarding said topics, to vent your opinion or even suggest solutions. You will be sitting round the table with both Belgian as well as Congolese people, who have something to do with Congo in day to day life and/or set out policies. We will make sure the talk will be reduced to a strict minimum, pressing them to make time for answering your questions. So be there! LOKO offers fascinating conversations, a comfy spot in one of our deck chairs, fresh air in the City Park in a multi cultural atmosphere!

The event fits the annual market and picnic, organized by the North-South Students Leuven. The picnic start at 11 pm. You will be able to get some goody bags stuffed with fair-trade food from Oxfam Shops and this for merely 4 euro. Furthermore, there will be some jam sessions that will bring improvised music. Don’t hesitate to bring your own instrument and make some music yourself!

The North-South Students organize this event for the the third time already. I heard of this ‘festival’ and figured cooperation with them would be ideal. We could learn from each other and create a bigger, even better event, supporting each other with among other things the publicity. The goal of the debate fits wonderfully in the goal of the picnic. Which was why, of course, we brought both events together.

By the end of the day, it will not be over yet; a party with world music will be awaiting you at the Machine. We count on seeing you there! |