Critical Response Event: Democratic Republic of Congo

Nearly 25 years after the Sun City Agreement of 2002, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains mired in a protracted crisis marked by unresolved political conflicts, persistent armed violence, and severe humanitarian emergencies. The resurgence of M23/AFC-led hostilities since 2021 has reversed progress, displacing over 7 million people and exacerbating food insecurity, governance weaknesses, and limited state authority. Despite international frameworks, including the U.S.-facilitated Peace Agreement with Rwanda (June 27, 2025) and ongoing Qatar negotiations with M23/AFC, armed groups continue to operate with impunity, undermining peace efforts. The recent Ebola outbreak in Kasai province adds a critical public health challenge to an already overstretched system. Urgent, integrated action is essential to address these interconnected crises and support the Congolese people. Q&A for this event will be moderated by Cohen Institute Specialist, Dr. Ashley Greene.

About the speaker:

Juillson Kavakerwa, is a seasoned expert in conflict transformation, human rights education, and sustainable development with over a decade of experience in humanitarian and development assistance. He serves as a Senior Program Management Specialist in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and is co-founder of the Program of Action for Sustainable Development (PADS), which promotes peaceful coexistence and conflict transformation in the Great Lakes region. As an independent consultant with the Educators Institute for Human Rights (EIHR), he collaborates with Congolese educators to develop training materials on Holocaust and human rights education. Juillson holds an MBA in Global Business and Sustainability from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, and an Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. A Positive Peace Ambassador with the Institute for Economics and Peace, he has contributed to global forums such as the International Association of Genocide Scholars symposium (2024) and the Academy for Human Rights symposium (2025), and attended the Summer Institute on Genocide Studies and Prevention at Keene State College in 2023. Originally from North Kivu province, his grassroots experience as an educator informs his commitment to sustainable development, human dignity, and lasting peace.

Additional Information and Registration:

This event is hosted by the Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College as part of our ongoing series of Critical Response Events. These events are meant to spotlight ongoing or emerging crises across the globe. Speakers in this series represent a wide range of scholarly research and views; our guests' perspectives should not be taken as representative of the Cohen Institute or Keene State College as a whole.

The webinar is free and open to everyone, but advanced registration is required. Please register here.

This event is part of the Cohen Center calendar.