Journeys for Justice are an innovative approach to bringing international attention to the critical issues RFK Human Rights Award Laureates champion to resolve. The program provides human rights supporters the unique opportunity to join high- profile delegations led by the Kennedy family. Delegation members meet with the Laureates and the beneficiaries of their efforts, and speak with people affected by gross human rights violations. Additionally, members meet with the leaders of the countries visited, prominent local and national governmental officials and other stakeholders.

Having acquired an intimate perspective on some of today's most provocative social injustices, Delegation members utilize their experience to advocate on behalf of the Laureates. Members broaden American and international public's interest through press conferences, and assist in fundraising to initiate social change projects.

In March 2005, the Center for Human Rights sent a staff delegation to Chad to visit the 2004 Human Rights Award winner, Delphine Djiraibe, to gain a better understanding of the political and civil society climate now that the revenues from the Chad/Cameroon Oil and Pipeline Project are flowing. The trip also defined our strategy for helping Delphine ensure that the people of Chad benefit from the oil revenues.

Delphine, Center Director Todd Howland and Program Officer Sarah Pray met with representatives of Chadian civil society and international organizations, the Minister of Justice, members of the National Assembly, and representatives from the parties responsible for the oil pipeline: Exxon Mobil (the leader of the oil consortium that also comprises Chevron and Petronas) and the World Bank.

After spending time on the ground, the potential contribution of the RFK Center for Human Rights became apparent, particularly in assisting the capacity building of civil society, which is strong but under-funded and overextended. A robust civil society in Chad is crucial because of rampant government corruption and the inadequacy of the current oil revenue management infrastructure.

Despite the expectations of the projects’ stakeholders, the situation in Chad post-pipeline is arguably worse than it was before the pipeline: higher rates of HIV/AIDS, internal displacement, and rampant corruption have all contributed to the worsening human rights situation.

Delphine and the CHR believe that together we can strengthen the ability of civil society to act as a viable monitoring mechanism to hold the Chadian government, the World Bank and the oil consortium accountable for the project.

Stay tuned to rfkmemorial.org for updates on future Journeys.

For more information on the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights' work with Delphine please contact Sarah Pray at (202) 463-7575 x269, pray@rfkmemorial.org