U.N. urges peace talks for Darfur

U.N. mission in Darfur faces threats

North, South Sudan negotiations proceed

Sudan's president: 'We are not afraid'

Sudan's U.N. envoy would reward Bashir

Kimmie Weeks is coming to Crescent!

Kimmie Weeks' communications agent just sent me his speaking contract for our chosen date of, February 24th, 2011. This is great news that all our hard work has finally paid off through all the ups and downs of this grueling prcoess. We are now figuring out the final financial and accomadations aspects for his arrival. We are hoping that his inspirational story and speaking skills will have a strong impact on the Crescent student body.

The Official Website of Southern Sudan's Government

http://www.goss.org/

Emmanuel Jal

Here is a link to a video of an ex-child soldier from Sudan. Emmanuel Jal was drafted to be a soldier when he was only seven years old; his gun was most likely bigger than he was. At the beginning of this video he recites a poem that briefly sums up his troubled childhood. After, he performs a song called "Emma" which is about the woman that rescued him and what he would be without her. Jal is now a spokesperson for world peace and child soldiers and is very well known. For example, he performed at Nelson Mandela's birthday celebration, which is a major indication of his popularity. Enjoy the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vdyT5TH0g&feature=related

New Pages

Check out the two new pages on our blog. The Images page has many great images that he have taken throughout this project. The Story of the Week page previews the upcoming weeks story from our STAND board.

The Power of Support and Outside Influence on Darfur

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTTNz9mt8Ow&feature=related

This video provides a very interesting look on the impact of "outside influence" on the Genocide in Darfur.

President (Senator at this time) Barack Obama visits an international refugee camp on the border of Darfur to listen to the stories of the people who live there.

STAND FOR THE DEAD Promotional Campaign Begins!!

Some Things Never Change

Although the article I am referencing here is 5 years old, the fact of the matter is addressed in perfect correlation with Darfur today. The United Nations does not consider the atrocities of Darfur to amount to genocide, at least not according to their reasoning. Genocide is defined as a ''systematic killing of a racial or cultural group.'' Does the janjaweed (with direct support from the Sudanese government) targeting and killing over 400, 000 Darfurians, not ''classify'' as a genocide? I have to say that the UN was attempting to conceal their true inadequacies with such a statement, which was evident because of their lack of early concern for the happenings in Darfur. There always must be an evident line, and the United Nations has without doubt, crossed it. The United Nations have made admirable, and effective strides in aiding a variety of worldwide concerns. However, they are indeed not perfect. We all realize, and are competent enough to comprehend that. Now why can't the UN simply admit their faults, and move on?

For the actual article:
 http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/01/31/sudan.report/

Impactful Video On The Genocide

http://standforthedead.com/

Kimmie Weeks' Communications Agent Is Interested!

Natsumi Ajiki, the communications director of the organization that Kimmie Weeks is incharge of, sent us a prompt reply informing us of the costs, and additional information on Kimmie Weeks' speaking tours. She said that she is looking forward to working with us, in our endeavor to get Kimmie Weeks to make an appearance at Crescent. We are working on a possible theme for Mr. Weeks to speak about.

Stay tuned for new updates on the possibility of Kimmie Weeks coming to speak at Crescent!

We have sent an email to Kimmie Weeks asking him to come to our school and speak about his experiences as a child solider. We hope that he will come.

Stay tuned for more details!