#6 SAWA Global supports upcoming 2008 Youth Darfur Conference here in Vancouver, BC, March 2nd

SAWA Theme: Empowering Youth

SAWA is excited to support the upcoming model-UN conference for youth, being held here in Vancouver, BC on March 2nd, by Amnesty International. At this 2008 Youth Darfur Conference, students from across the province will come to discuss the issues currently surrounding Darfur- where, according to UN estimates, at least 450,000 people have died from violence and disease, and 2.5 million people have been displaced since the conflict began in 2003.

At the conference, 100 youth between the ages of 16-30, will represent relevant nations, groups, multilateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations, in order to examine and discuss the complex issues surrounding the Darfur crisis. For the sake of creating a better understanding of the complexities surrounding the conflict, groups like the Janjaweed, the Justice and Equality Movement, Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army and Darfuri women refugees will be represented at the event.

Through participation in this forum, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of the situation in Darfur, but they will also gain insight into effective and creative ways to raise awareness and motivate appropriate individual action after the conference.

The conference is further exciting for bringing together the support of many different Canadian NGO’s, of which SAWA Global is one of them. This conference allows an opportunity for different organizations, who are working in their own way towards a better world, to be able to come together to share insights and inspiration for today’s youth. Each participating youth will receive a package with information on the different organizations supporting the conference. Through the package youth at the conference will learn about SAWA’s journalist campaign – just one opportunity for them to continue making a difference after the conference.

To learn more about the upcoming conference, or the crisis in Darfur, please visit:

www.darfur2008.com

#5 SAWA's Journalist Campaign

In the fall of 2007, SAWA Global launched a campaign to recruit 100 volunteers across the world("Sawa Journalists") to find and film stories of hope and inspiration in the poorests countries of the world. SAWA has been receiving hundreds e-mails, (which we are currently going through), from people all over the world who know of individuals, local heroes, and local NGO's making positive changes in their communities. With their knowledge and connections, the stories of these local heroes will be shared at SAWA Global: the gateway to change.

SAWA's aim is to make connections with journalists and journalism/media students in the capitals of these countries who can help us find stories we can showcase on our site. Finding these stories of inspiration and admirable leadership may be challenging, and being able to film a shrot clip about them may be even more challenging. This is why SAWA's goal is to make connections with new and established journalists and media personell. Together we hope to ignite a new media - one that offers hope and inspiration for positive change, and fosters global awareness, and global action.

At SAWA we give a voice to these heroes of the world and offer an opportunity for them to voice their initiatives to a global audience, which we hope will inspire and spark action and positive change.

At SAWA we also provide an opportunity for people all over the world to get involved by supporting these local grassroots intitiatives that are making positive lasting changes in the fight against poverty, HIV/Aids, child abuse, gender inequality and environmental degradation.
Stay tuned for more stories of hope coming soon!