Conflict Diamonds: What you can do

• Ask jewelers about their policies on conflict diamonds and ask for clarification about whether their diamonds are mined and sold legitimately. Use these talking points from World Vision if you're not sure what to say.
• Pray that the diamond industry and governments do more to protect the legitimate diamond trade and bring to a halt the horrific practice of conflict diamonds.
• Contact Congress. Ask our U.S. government leaders to better enforce the diamond trade law so that conflict diamonds do not continue to fund wars in African countries, like the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Resources

Feature-length videos:

• Blood Diamond, a fictional account of a South African mercenary (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a Sierra Leonean fisherman-turned-miner (Djimon Hounsou) who set out after a priceless pink diamond during Sierra Leone's civil war. Now playing in theaters, rated R for violence and some language.
• Bling: A Planet Rock, a VH1 production featuring three hip-hop artists who visit Sierra Leone for an in-depth look at the diamond industry.
• Blood Diamonds, a History Channel documentary following the history of the diamond trade, focused on West Africa. Scheduled to air December 23.

• World Vision PSA, a short clip narrated by Martin Sheen about the atrocities of conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone.
• Crossing Troubled Waters: Sierra Leone's Troubled Past and Hope-Filled Future, a 13-minute documentary produced by Christian Reformed World Missions available to for loan or purchase. 

Speakers:

• Paul and Mary Kortenhoven, CRWM missionaries instrumental in the formation of the Kimberley Process. Read their story here, and contact mkraley@crcna.org if you would like them to speak at your church or school.

Related organizations:

• Partnership Africa Canada
• Global Witness
• Amnesty International
• World Vision