Newsworthy Events
Oporoza (the site of our Nigeria Journey) suffered attack in 2008, and fortunately the library was left unharmed. For more information and updates, follow these links to articles and interviews with Mary Ella Kebulsek and Joel Bisina. Look for mp3 files to hear the interviews. These websites are also following the events in the Niger Delta closely: www.stakeholderdemocracy.org and www.sweetcrudemovie.com. Earthbeat Radio: The True Cost of Oil Voice of America News: Yar’Adua, Militants Trade Feelers for Niger Delta Amnesty Voice of America News: Mounting Niger Delta Tensions Fuel Calls for Ceasefire
GCJ In The News
Global Citizen Journey Press Kit November 6, 2008: The Skanner ran a story “Citizen Ambassadors Set Trip To Burundi.” May 21, 2008: The Seattle Times ran a story “Crude Times in the Niger Delta” about the situation there, and Sandy Cioffi’s film, “Sweet Crude.” April 1, 2008: The Ballard News Tribune ran a story “Group to help bring clean water to tiny central African nation” about our upcoming Burundi Journey. March 30, 2008: The Bellingham Herald ran a story on Barbara Gilday’s journey to Ghana. January 9, 2008: The Daily Guide, a prominent newspaper in Ghana, ran a story, “Hand-Washing Promoted in Schools,” which mentions GCJ and delegate Jeannie Birchall. November 19, 2007: Prosper Ndabishuriye, the founder of Youth for a New World/JRMD, our partner organization in Burundi, was recently in the US presenting on the work that his organization is doing to help heal wounds caused by ethnic strife. Read with the Seattle Times had to say.
News from the field
April 20, 2008 After being detained by the Nigerian State Security Services while filming in the Niger Delta, the Sweet Crude team has been returned home safely. Read more. Take a look at the Ghana blog. GCJ’s inaugural journey was a resounding success and the Niger Delta Friendship Library is now open for business. Check out photos and reports from our adventure. Read the article in the Boeing Corporate Philanthropy Report (page 30). Boeing was a significant sponsor of the Nigeria 2005 journey. A group of alumni from the Nigeria 2005 journey are working to establish a microlending program to serve the women of Oporoza and surrounding communities. Read about the project. 
GCJ media coverage
- Read what the the Seattle Times has to say about Prosper’s October visit
- Environment, Conflict and Cooperation: Oil Firms Blamed for Niger Delta Crisis
- Hear a radio segment on GCJ & the Niger Delta – KBCS “One World Report” 11.24.05
- Niger Delta Friendship Library: Oporoza’s Dividend of Peace – Daily Independent, Nigeria
- Enduring Impact of Oporoza Library Project – Daily Independent, Nigeria
- Subtle Diplomacy – Real Change News
- Diplomacy: Seattleites to Build Relationships in Oil-rich but Ravaged Nigeria – Real Change News
- Americans Break Wall of Jericho between Ijaw, Itsekiri – The Vanguard, Nigeria
- Peace Group to Accomplish Volumes…Literally - KOMO 1000 radio news
- Grassroots Group Seeks World Change – Magnolia News / Queen Anne News
- Women Go on a Mission of Peace – Everett Herald
- A Library, a Bridge to Peace – Spiral Dynamics newsletter
- Evergreen Citizen Susan Partnow – Mercury Uprising: Healing Global Hotspots – Evergreen Monthly
- Around the Sound: Giving – Seattle PI
- He Gives Them a Voice – South Whidbey Record
- Bridging the Cultural Divide – North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- New Nonprofit Global Citizen Journey Builds Global Neighborhoods – Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods Newsletter
Catch up on past issues of our newsletter
Learn more about oil issues in the Niger Delta
NPR series on the Niger Delta
NPR’s Steve Inskeep spent two weeks in the Niger Delta, destination of the GCJ 2005 delegation, and broadcast a series of stories focused on oil production and its ramifications. If you missed them on the radio, they are posted online along with many photographs and special web features.
More articles
- Blood and Oil - NY Times editorial 4.16.06
- Strangers in the Dazzling Night: A Mix of Oil and Misery – NY Times 12.9.05
- Oil and Corporate Recklessness in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region by Joel Bisina, GCJ Nigeria 2005 Host Country Director
- Why Women are at War with Chevron: Nigerian Subsistence Struggles Against the International Oil Industry
- Legal Action to Stop Nigeria Gas Flaring
- Oporoza: Beckoning for Aid, by Tunke-Aye Bisina
Read our news releases
- March 2006: Grassroots Approach Makes Peace and Change in Volatile Niger Delta
- October 2005: Puget Sound Residents Broker Peace and Partnerships in Oil-Rich Niger Delta: Grassroots Citizen Diplomacy Accomplishes What Governments Can’t or Won’t
- March 2005: Global Citizen Journey To Build First Niger Delta Library and Bridges of Understanding
Get involved in the GCJ community
Check out the latest wish list for ways to help GCJ, support our work in Nigeria and plan for future journeys.
