Series of national workshops begins in Kinshasa

A series of national workshops was launched on Monday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a three-day conference on the issue of education during times of crisis, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced.

"This is the first time since the start of the war in 1998 that we will be able to bring together on Congolese soil professionals from all provinces of the country," an OCHA statement said. "These workshops will each take place in a different city on different sides of the conflict."

Future workshops are planned on food security, due to take place in April in the northeastern city of Kisangani; on health during times of crisis, also in April, in the northwestern town of Gemena; on protection of civilians and communities, in late April/early May, in the eastern town of Bukavu; on the administration of justice during times of crisis, also in late April/early May, in the southeastern city of Lubumbashi; and on media and communication during times of crisis, due to take place in late May/early June, in the northeastern town of Bunia.

"These meetings will provide an opportunity for Congolese experts to establish, in a common voice, their evaluation of the current situation, and to share the experience they have gained during all these years of crisis with international participants," OCHA said. "Furthermore, they will suggest concrete action to be taken by national decision-makers and their foreign partners by means of their final recommendations in each sector."

The costs of transportation, room and board for workshop participants are being met by the UN.