Our History

Humble Beginnings:
Invisible Conflicts at Loyola was formed in the fall of 2006. Loyola student, Nathan Mustain, saw the film Invisible Children and held a screening on Loyola’s campus to raise awareness. He later invited students to join him in taking action and helping the children of Northern Uganda.

Invisible Children Screenings
Invisible Conflicts hosted over 10 Invisible Children screenings at Loyola to raise awareness of the war in Northern Uganda. All the screenings were held at the Sullivan Center and each screening filled the auditorium. Before the screenings, the Invisible Conflicts crew would hand out information packets on how to get involved. The packet also included a blank piece of paper for students to write letters to either a State Senator or to President Bush. Hundreds of letters were written and sent out throughout the year.

The Global Night Commute
On April 29, 2006 more than 130 cities and over 80,000 people joined thousands of Northern Ugandan night commuters and slept outside. Young, old, all races, all religions demanded that the world take notice to a war that remained unseen for over 20 years. Over 1,500 people showed up to sleep outside in Grant Park, down town Chicago eve though it rain all night long. Throughout the night we wrote letters to our senators, congressmen and President, urging them all to put pressure on the Ugandan Government to end the war and stop night commuting.

Uganda Lobby Days
In October of 2006 4 Invisible Conflict members jumped on a plane to Washington D.C. to participate in the very first Northern Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium. Our group went to Capital Hill, we established contacts and talked with our leaders about what the U.S. can do to help the peace process in Northern Uganda. We showed them our photos and told them our stories and many of them were blown away.  If you have the opportunity, call, write, or email your Senator!

Jam the Lines
On October 10, 2006 students across America joined together to call their senators and congressmen to urge them to offer symbolic and concrete support for the ongoing peace negotiations between the Ugandan government and the L.R.A. because we believe that the U.S. government will only fulfill its crucial role in holding the parties accountable to peace if we demand they do so!

The Gulu Walk
On October 21, 2006 Invisible Conflicts joined 10,000 people across America to raise awareness in Northern Uganda. As a group we walked from Wrigley Field to Roosevelt and State Street. Our 6 hour walk helped us raise awareness about the war in Northern Uganda in Chicago.

Dwon Madiki Partnership

The Dwon Madiki Partnership was formed in November 2006. The Partnership has since become a major focus for Invisible Conflicts. More information can be found here

Keith Harmon Snow

In November 2006, Invisible Conflicts presented freelance journalist and photographer Keith Harmon Snow to the Loyola Commuity. The lecture discussed the ongoing conflict and exploitation of resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More information regarding Keith Harmon Snow can be found at his website http://www.allthingspass.com

The I.C. Plunge
On December 2, 2006 over 40 people joined Invisible Conflicts and ran into the icy waters of Lake Michigan in order to raise money for the Dwon Madiki Partnership. Our goal was to raise $6,000.00 which would be used to sustain the Dwon Madiki Partnership for the entire year and we exceeded our goal!

Displace Me
On April 28th, more than 68,000 people left their homes and left their comforts to displace themselves for the displaced in Northern Uganda. Chicago had over 2,000 people who showed up to sleep outside just south of Solider Field.