NEWS
Student group prepares to aid Sudan
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Cassie Kornblau:
- Legislator looks out for taxpayers (December 11, 2007)
- Added cost of studying abroad (December 10, 2007)
- Representative brings 'traditionalist' view to college (December 7, 2007)
- When hate disrupts the classroom (December 6, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Chicago decides to keep investing (February 7, 2007)
- Regents divest UW funds from Sudan (September 4, 2006)
- Organizations advocate Africa awareness (September 21, 2005)
- Harvard divests from oil company (April 13, 2005)
- Hero relates true 'Hotel Rwanda' (February 27, 2006)
by Cassie Kornblau
Friday, September 15, 2006
University of Wisconsin student organization Action in Sudan! kicked off the semester Thursday night in the Red Gym.
This is the third year the group has gathered to brainstorm means of spreading awareness about the ongoing genocide in the region.
UW senior Caroline Ackley, a member of the organization, said the focus of Action in Sudan! is to promote social justice and garner support from the UW community for the anti-genocide movement.
According to Amanda Leipold, a Wisconsin alumna who is still part of the group, the students now feel this issue can gain support on a larger scale after the University of Wisconsin recently divested economic ties from Sudan. The group's attention is now focused on lobbying the state government to divest as well.
Divesting in Wisconsin should be a "symbolic gesture for the rest of the nation and the west especially," UW senior Branton Kunz said.
Students of Action in Sudan! are trying to spread consciousness of the issue by educating the general public. Professors at UW are also taking part in the effort to make students aware of the international conflict.
UW senior Anne Eichmeyer said an African Studies lecture compelled her to join the group. UW freshman Julie Polywka said she found this organization to be, "more productive" than other student organizations on this campus and is eager to be a part of Action in Sudan! Currently the group's members are promoting a "Week of Action," a three-day long event October 18 through 20 to raise money for Sudanese UW graduate Kou Solomon, who is presently in Sudan trying to establish an organization whose ultimate goal is to start a school for girls in the region.
Solomon, one of Sudan's "lost boys," escaped genocide by walking from Sudan to Kenya at the age of six.
Events during the "Week of Action" include sending a campaign letter to the Capitol, holding a potluck dinner discussion with Anthropology Professor Sharon Hutchinson and Political Science Professor Scott Straus after a day of fasting, a video screening of a documentary, Darfur Diaries, and a benefit concert on Friday evening at Café Montmartre.
The basic idea is to provide everyone with a "threshold of knowledge," Ackley said, so everyone can make even the smallest difference. She recommends e-mailing articles on the issue to friends and family, calling state representatives and attending rallies.
In addition, students are encouraged to participate in Global Darfur Day this Sunday, when rallies will be held in major cities across the country. In addition, the national chapter of Students Taking Action Now in Darfur is also looking for more student volunteers.
Here, the UW chapter is even looking to expand to other student-run organizations including Amnesty International, Hillel and the African Students Association, hoping to captivate all aspects of this issue which include ethnic, religious, and economic conflict.
Any form of support does make a difference, Ackley said.
"We want to show the world the proud people in Madison actually care," she added.
