For many children in Darfur today, peace is an alien concept. For those children who are reaching their fifth birthday this April, they have not seen peace in their lifetimes. As the international community continues to filibuster over prospects for an effective peacekeeping operation, the number of victims continues to rise. In 2005, the United Nations Security General challenged the international community to uphold its responsibility to protect; to protect the innocent people of any state, where a state is unwilling or unable to protect its citizens. To date, the international community is failing in ending the plight of suffering experienced by the people of Darfur.

NUS has campaigned with partner organisations to call for an end to the crisis. This April marks the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the violence in Darfur. On Sunday 13 April, we will again join the international protests. The focus of the fifth international Day for Darfur will aim at highlight the suffering of the children of this war torn region, appealing for an end to the violence and a commitment to the development of the region.

NUS past-President urges students to add their voices to calls for an end to the suffering in Darfur

On Monday 3 March, NUS past-President Stephen Twigg (of Aegis Trust) visited NUS HQ to meet with myself, Stephen Brown and a representative of Aegis Students to discuss how the student movement could maximise support for the up and coming Day for Darfur demonstration. Stephen Twigg had a clear message to convey from his position as a former student activist and, now, key policy advisor and Parliamentary candidate.

“The student movement has shown time and again the potential weight it holds in shaping policy both here in the UK and internationally,” said Stephen. “An issue like Darfur unites the student movement in condemning crimes against humanity. It would be very encouraging to see a large student presence at the Day for Darfur demonstration on 13 April.”

TAKE ACTION

Coaches are being coordinated on the day. In a bid to ensure that access to the demonstration is as accessible to as many students as possible, we are recruiting individuals to act as organisers on campuses. If you are interested in coordinating groups from within your campus community, please get in touch for support.

adam.mcnicholas@nus.org.uk
07968 356811

jonathan.bower@aegisstudents.org
Information on coaches to follow soon

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