Freedom of Information Seminar Sponsored by AMICUS

from l. to r. DCM Samuel Brock, DRC's Ministor of Communication and Media and AMICUS's President J.B. Otshudi

A national seminar on preparing a Freedom of Information Act for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was inaugurated on Monday July 13.  The seminar is sponsored by AMICUS (Amitie-Congo-U.S.), a non-profit organization made up of Congolese alumni of U.S. government-supported educational and exchange programs, and supported by U.S. Embassy Kinshasa.  The opening ceremony took place at the Grand Conference Room in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and included remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Samuel Brock, DRC Minister of Communications and Media Lambert Mende Omalanga, and AMICUS President AMICUS Jean-Baptiste Otshudi, among others.

The week-long seminar brings together journalists, academics, and political and civil society leaders from all over the country to debate a possible Freedom of Information Act for the DRC.  In his remarks, DCM Brock described the challenges that the U.S. faced in passing, enforcing and enhancing its Freedom of Information Act.  He also affirmed the support and commitment of Embassy Kinshasa in helping the Congolese to enact a law that would guarantee the freedom of information for the press and public.

For more information on the seminar, please visit the AMICUS website at www.amicusalumni.com.