Act For Stolen Children Campaign
Mindset Media
Acumen Fund
War Affected Children
Disaster Relief
Hunger Relief

Act For Stolen Children Campaign
(www.actforstolenchildren.org)

The Act For Stolen Children Campaign is a catalyst for change and global response to a horror that has been largely ignored by the media.

For almost 20 years, war has waged in northern Uganda. Almost 100,000 civilians have been killed or maimed in the crossfire. More than 30,000 children have been stolen from their families and subjected to ruthless violence. It is an atrocity that UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland calls "the world's most neglected humanitarian crisis."

The Act For Stolen Children Campaign operates on three fronts. It uses mass media to generate awareness across Canada, the United States, Europe and Uganda. It provides forums for policy and research experts to advance policy aimed at conflict resolution. It is also a grassroots movement that engages the general public through events and raises funds for ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Alison Lawton is among those actively working to promote the mobilization of a coordinated and decisive international response to end the crisis. In 2004, Alison traveled to northern Uganda to meet with humanitarian aid organizations on the ground and to evaluate first-hand how the international community could effectively get involved.

Through Mindset Media, Alison funded the development of the campaign website and media tools, including videos, press releases, situational overviews and the documentary film Uganda Rising. Making numerous speaking appearances and leveraging her network of contacts, she also held a press conference at the United Nations and hosted a policy forum for various stakeholders of the crisis.

Alison is currently working with the lead mediator between rebel forces and the Ugandan government, Betty Bigombe, in her efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Alison is also attempting to establish a Peace Secretariat for northern Uganda and has been lobbying for the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Department of Political Affairs and the Security Council to send a UN special envoy to deal with the crisis.