KU community invited to visit with representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community will have a chance to discuss international trade, culture, government affairs and related topics with a representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to visit with Bienvenu Kulungu, who represents the governor of the Bandundu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 17, in the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center Lobby.

Kulungu is in Kansas this month to plan a trip later this year for the provincial governor, Jean Kamisendu Kutuka. As part of this initial trip, Kulungu is visiting with key Kansas companies and organizations to begin developing economic relationships in areas such as manufacturing, mineral wealth, oil and natural gas, and agriculture.

In his visit to KU, Kulungu will give an overview of his trip as well as an update on happenings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, more broadly, in Africa. While his trip is geared toward international trade, Kulungu said he is excited for the chance to visit and engage with KU scholars and students on a broad range of topics related to Africa, including commerce, business development, anthropology, linguistics and culture.

“I’m pleased to have this chance to visit the state’s flagship university,” Kulungu said. “I’m looking forward to sharing some of my experiences and having conversations with KU faculty and students in various academic fields.”

Kulungu is being hosted by the Kansas Department of Commerce, which heads numerous trade missions each year to develop economic ties between Kansas and other nations.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo — not to be confused with the neighboring Republic of the Congo or the People's Republic of the Congo — is the second-largest country in Africa by area and the 11th largest in the world. With a population of more than 75 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the 19th-most populous nation in the world and the fourth-most populous nation in Africa.

Fri, 07/11/2014

author

Joe Monaco

Media Contacts

Joe Monaco

KU Office of Public Affairs

785-864-7100