#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