Civil Wars, Ethnic Cleansing, and Hunger
Work in small groups of 2-4 people.
Select a current or recent instance of civil strife in which ethnicity, race, or religion – or some combination of these - appears to be a major cause of the strife. (In spring, 1999, an obvious example would have been the struggle over Kosovo between ethnic Albanians, mostly Muslim and Serbians, mostly Christian. Other instances might include the Kurds in Turkey, or Tutsi and Hutu in Central Africa.)
As assigned by your teacher, prepare a short written report covering as many of the following points as you can find (try for at least four), plus others you may discover:
Who are the parties to the conflict (may be more than two)?
Is the conflict recent, or does it arise from long – standing differences?
What is the impact of the conflict on ordinary citizens – particularly on the more vulnerable members of society: children, women, or elderly? Note especially instances of hunger, and whether denying access to food is being used as a “weapon” in the conflict.
What is the effect on farming in the conflict area, and on business more generally?
What efforts are being made by outside parties to resolve the conflict?
What efforts are being made to relieve human suffering? By whom?
Resources to search may include:
National Newspaper websites
Washington Post
New York Times
LA Times
USA Today
In a major conflict, many international relief agencies almost certainly have a related program, and a website.
This assignment was adapted from the Food For Everyone Curriculum, 1999
Student
Handout 4.2
CLARK COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING IN ATTENDANCE
DEMANDA CESACION DE EFECTOS CIVILES DE MATRIMONIO CATOLICO
DEMANDA DE DIVORCIO DE MATRIMONIO CIVIL POR MUTUO
Tags: civil wars,, of civil, cleansing, small, hunger, ethnic, civil