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e raising awareness about the tremendous need in the region and increasing funding that supports its communities and citizens are the best ways to drive public policy change. and protected the environment and the interests of DRC's most vulnerable populations. The international community has supported these community groups, enabling them to meet vital social needs, but many challenges remain. BALAnCing ACt EvEn as afflEck tacklEd his nExt TeaMing up (Left) Affleck has enlisted the help of some of the world's most influential policy makers, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (Above) Partnering with the United Nations, he produced a film about the plight of Congolese refugees in 2008. people of eastern Congo. "Eastern Congo really exists in an indeterminate space between war and peace, and daily life for the average Congolese can include a mix of personal insecurity, poor health conditions, and minimal economic opportunity," Affeck says. "But their resilience and determination is aweinspiring—they desperately want to live their lives in peace, earn a decent living, and raise their families just like the rest of us. And they never quit working to help each other and help their community become what it can be." As a testament to the will of the Congolese people, Affeck notes, "ECI won't quit either—and as long as there are Congolese working to build a better future for their families, we will stand with them. Despite the incredible challenges they face, I'm an optimist." A key focus of ECI's work is providing grants to community-based organizations (CBOs) in eastern Congo, many of which had been forced to scale back their work during the most intense years of war and confict in the area. In a country with historically weak state institutions and virtually nonexistent public services, CBOs have provided important health and education services, promoted social equity and economic development, acting and directing challenge, he stayed active in his leadership role at ECI. Having already visited eastern Congo eight times, he visited once again in the midst of making Argo, the thrilling true story of CIA agent Tony Mendez, who safely extricated six U.S. diplomats from Iran during the hostage crisis in 1979. Even as Argo garnered intense critical acclaim, the situation in eastern Congo began to worsen. When simmering tensions erupted in violence in November 2012, Affeck returned to his role as advocate with unbridled urgency. He appeared on ABC News' This Week with host George Stephanopoulos and Congressman Adam Smith of Washington, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, to discuss the developments in eastern Congo. In addressing conditions for sustainable development and the ongoing rebel confict, Affeck said, "I think it is critical for people to talk about what these issues are from a national security point of view, from an economic point of view. I think our actions in foreign policy—and maybe I am naive—represent our values and represent who we are. And if any American were to go to that country and see what was happening there, they would insist that we do what we could." This passion led to Affeck's personal congressional testimony to the House Armed Services Committee in December about the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In his opening comments, Affeck stated to the committee that he was not there to ask for tax dollars, but "to respectfully request you use the most important power you have, your collective voice as representatives of the United States of America." Spring 2013 . Tempus-Magazine.com 61