Today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, minerals harvested from mines controlled by rebel groups cause severe turmoil within the nation. Six million people have died since violence began in 1996, and hundreds of thousands of women have been raped, according to UW-Madison Conflict-Free Campus Initiative campus organizer Katy Johnson. But Johnson said U.S. college students, more than any other demographic, fuel the deadly war by consuming electronics, such as cell phones and computers, which contain these conflict minerals gathered in Congo. Johnson led an informative session Friday to announce CFCI?s plan to join the 100 other U.S. universities in creating student movements that push university administration to pass resolutions urging companies to produce conflict-free products.
?UW-Madison has such a legacy of being this progressive, politically active campus,? Johnson said. ?This is an incredible opportunity for Madison not only to be a leader in the nation but to be a leader in the Big Ten.?