The Rape of a Nation—Natural Resource Exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Peace remains elusive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the West’s desire for minerals and gems continues to fuel conflict over control of natural resources. By exploring the lives of miners and their surrounding community in resource-rich eastern Congo, Marcus Bleasdale’s photographs depict mining’s devastating consequences.

OSI's Documentary Photography Project presented a discussion about natural resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, part of the ongoing "Photography as Advocacy?" series, which explores how photography can be used to shape public policy and perception and to effect social change.

Photographer Susan Meiselas, Curator of OSI's Moving Walls exhibit, moderated a discussion with:

• Marcus Bleasdale, Photographer
• Carroll Bogert, Associate Director, Human Rights Watch.