LOS ANGELES (August 1, 2013) – Falling Whistles, a campaign for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, announces story of Swedish coalition member Daniel Laurén and his converted Audi R8, now a symbol of peace. Laurén foiled his entire luxury sports car in Falling Whistles designed graphics, creating a tool for conversation and calling attention to the current state of Congo, home to the deadliest war of our time.
Falling Whistles #drivingforpeace from Tillsammans Med. on Vimeo
After coming in contact with Falling Whistles one year ago, Daniel Laurén became fascinated by the company’s entrepreneurship and work toward peace. As a philanthropist, humanitarian and auto enthusiast, Laurén realized the opportunity to marry his passion for cars with social good, and elevate the discussion of Congo by turning his car into a symbol.
“As an entrepreneur myself, my philosophy in life is to make money so I can help make this world a bit better to live in. This is why I wanted to engage as a whistleblower for peace,” explains Laurén, “I hope that Driving for Peace will inspire other people to ask questions, develop solutions and channel their talents and passions into activism.”
Graphics depict a growing/shrinking outline of Congo, representing the five generations of colonial rule endured by the country. On the side of the car, a black circle reads “6.9 Million Dead,” the estimated amount of deaths in Congo since 1994 due to natural resource war. The print was designed by Falling Whistles Art Director, Mario Salangsang.
“Congo’s outline becomes smaller or larger depending on how it is viewed. The illusion is symbolic of the potential to move forwardwith democracy, or fall back into a cycle of dictatorship and rebellion,” says Salangsang.
The Audi R8 will be driven around Stockholm and neighboring cities by Daniel Laurén to ignite conversation and inspire discussion on the situation in Congo from Sweden’s public.
Falling Whistles began when Founder Sean Carasso met five boys in a military encampment in Congo. Within our world’s deadliest war, the boys had been taken from their homes and thrown into combat as child soldiers, forced to fight for two opposing rebel armies. One boy told Carasso that kids too small to carry guns were sent to the front lines of war armed with only a whistle. Falling Whistles has not been silent since. Four years later, Falling Whistles is investing in eight Congolese visionaries rebuilding their communities, and their growingcoalition includes over 75,000 whistleblowers, 35 Congressman, 16 Senators, and 200 retailers worldwide.
