In January, history will take place in Sudan. The referendum has the potential to create peace in the war ridden country. STAND’s Edina High School chapter, in Minnesota, is holding an event on December 9th and 10th where Jamba Juice, Bruegger’s Bagels, custom designed t-shirts and more will be on sale. Petitions and actions will also be available for students to sign and send to our local representatives.

 Hello UpSTANDers!

Cooperstown Central School’s STAND is having their second annual "Special Week." The week is kicked off with STANDLearn, where students from all grade levels come, enjoy pizza and learn about Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo from our expert core members. After our start in education, we hope that the students will be more involved and aware of the other upcoming events.

GW STAND is excited to announce our annual Dodgeball for Darfur Tournament. We are expecting fierce competition from organizations, fraternities and sororities, Living Learning Communities, and student organized teams. Each team will compete for bragging rights, a trophy, and even a prize! The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 5 from 2-5PM in the Lerner Health and Wellness Center. Teams range from 5 to 7 people, and each organization can submit as many teams as they wish.

On November 22^nd, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon gave an end of the year policy address to the Seton Hall Community as part of the John C. Whitehead School of International Relations and Diplomacy’s World Leaders Forum.

I have been a Sudan activist since early 2005. I have never had the opportunity to attend a rally, however, until this past Sunday, November 21. A few feet from the White House, I stood beside Lost Boys of Sudan, Darfuri refugees, students, and concerned citizens to rally in solidarity for the people of Sudan.

         In the next one hundred days, some of the most important events in Sudan’s history will take place. South Sudan will decide in the January referendum, as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, whether or not to become an independent nation. This referendum has the potential to be a significant step towards peace, but an even greater potential to cause a return to civil war between North and South Sudan and the bloodiest war of this century.

Name: Ashley Jowell

Position: Durham Academy STAND Chapter Leader

City: Durham, North Carolina