Consumer pressure is necessary to break the cycle of violence wrought by conflict minerals tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold found in electronic products. Individuals can pressure corporations by declaring their personal preferences for certifiably conflict-free products. However, universities wield more leverage because, as academic institutions, they spend far more money than individuals on electronic products like computers, audiovisual equipment and lab equipment.
According to the Enough Project, the three best steps a university can take, in order of preference, are as follows: 1. Passing a resolution declaring its intent to purchase conflict-free electronic products when they are available and to prioritize companies that are doing more toward tracking their supply chains 2. Committing to vote their shares in favor of any shareholder resolution favoring conflict-free products with the companies in which they hold stock 3. Making a general statement of support for the conflict-free movement
Stanford University became the first university in the nation to "go conflict-free" by pursuing option (2) above. At Ohio University, a campaign is currently underway to implement both options (1) and (2).
The deadliest war anywhere since WWII, in the DR Congo, is being funded by conflict minerals used in electronic products including laptops. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars per year by trading tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold-- money that they use to fuel their campaign of rape, murder and slavery.
This group consists of Ohio University students, parents, alumni and faculty who want their school to take a stand against this violence by pledging to buy conflict-free electronic products.
Please see the following link for more information, and find us on Facebook to stay updated on actions you can take to further the conflict-free campus campaign. Note that Stanford University has already made a conflict-free pledge in response to a student movement.
