A suggestion by students has resulted in a new procurement policy that went into effect at Emory on July 1.

The University has joined the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative, a collective voice of universities demanding responsible sourcing of minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The natural resources in the African nation pit government troops and militias against each other to control mines that yield gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten, minerals in the electronics that are essential to the daily operations of the university. The citizens of the DRC are the victims of this violence, which has created an ongoing humanitarian crisis. 


Recognizing the humanitarian crisis in the DRC, Emory is supporting the purchase of conflict-free electronic products in support of federal legislation (the Dodd-Frank Act). 


The new Conflict Materials Policy acknowledges Emory’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability by leading the University to make a strong statement on the conflict minerals trade in the DRC.

The University is also considering offering a preference to those suppliers who have made a commitment to conflict-free supply chains when quality and cost performance are equal or superior. 
 
The initiative is a joint project from Students Against Genocide and Enough Project through the Center for American Progress.