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In the light of the Congolese elections and the revival of the attention for Congo as well as for the colonial history, a debate regarding the possibilities for development of this land is a current and well-aimed experiment.

Tourism has proven to contribute on a successful manner to the development of a country or region. What role can tourism for Congo play? The exchange of knowledge, experiences and ideas and the exploring of possibilities leads to more understanding and reflection on our contribution for the future of a country that used to be the most well-faring of Africa.

For people with interest in developmental problems and tourism, this debate offers the possibility to broaden their knowledge. On the basis of a concrete definition of a problem - the situation in Congo 'hic et nunc', the different interpretations of the panel members and the content of the debate itself, we will reflect on the meaning of tourism, its possibilities and its limitations. For the debate a panel of specialists on Congo is put together who can reflect from their own experiences about the creation of image on Congo and the questions that this subject raises.

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Following Stanley’s footsteps, the film Congo River takes us, from the mouth to the source, up the largest river basin in the world, that of the Congo. All along its 4,371 km we discover places that have seen this country’s turbulent history. Archives remind us of those people from African mythology who formed its destiny: colonisers like Stanley and Leopold II and African leaders like Lumumba and Mobutu.

This journey to the heart of Africa, beyond the shadows of tragedy and war, is a hymn to life just like the untameable vegetation that enshrines the river’s shores. During the different stages of the journey, images from the banks tell of a people’s joys and suffering, of the celebrations and tragedies which punctuate the lives of canoeists, fishermen, merchants, travellers, military men, rebels, child soldiers, Mai Mai militia and raped women… An entire people in search of light and dignity.

Yet this voyage is also a personal one of a filmmaker who already made three films about ex-Zaire. He showed the arrogance of power and popular revolt with Zaire, the Cycle of the Serpent, the predatory and builder’s spirit with The Last Colonials as well as the tragic vanity of a Shakespearean despot in Mobutu, King of Zaire. With Congo River, Thierry Michel continues his search for light and darkness. He is driven by the desire to go into the mystery and depths of this country and its forest , back in time along the history of this majestic river.