Over the past two years the generation I and II grade 8 students representing "Change the world it just takes cents" a Darfur education and social action initiative, have through their tireless efforts, motivated their peers and the greater Denver community to raise their voice and speak out against the first Genocide of the 21st century.
On Feb. 7 their efforts will culminate in Colorado middle school students coming together at Kent Denver School, to corroborate the Children's Bill of rights, to denounce the Darfur genocide, China's silence and the irony of the 2008 Olympic theme, "One World One Dream".
"The student voice is powerful and can make a difference, provided they
speak from an informed position."says
Sara Kornfeld the founder/educator of this student experiential learning and social action initiative, launched at the Herzl RMHA Upper School in 2006, which has captured the attention of national and international educators and humanitarian aid organizations.
Preparation for and participation in the Forum raises the student's awareness of global issues, helps cultivate and develop young individuals with a strong moral character, a deep sense of social responsibility, expands their leadership skills and empowers them to speak out, loudly and clearly.
This year's annual Middle School Anti-Genocide Forum will be attended by students from as far as Colorado Springs and from throughout Denver.
The Forum also has the support of numerous prominent humanitarian activists who will stand with our state's students demonstrating their support for this student action, and that each and every voice counts irrespective of age.
Mohamed Yahya, born in a small village east of Al-Geneina, the capital of Darmassaleit (West Darfur state) experienced, as a child and young adult, the brutal racism that permeates Sudanese society. In the early 1990's his village witnessed the first attacks by the Sudanese government-backed Arab militia, the Janjaweed - meaning "men on horseback".
His home was completely decimated and most of his relatives and neighbors were shot, raped, or burned alive in their huts.
In 1993 while studying at Al-Azhur University in Cairo, Mohamed Yahya received word that his parents were safe, that 21 family members were lost, and not to return to Darfur. News of the Darfur ethnic cleansing spurred Yahya, together with other Sudanese students living in Cairo, into action.
Believing that the pen is mightier than the sword, they wrote reports which were hand delivered to all the international embassies in Cairo.
Their first major open letter to the international community, "The Hidden Slaughter and Ethnic Cleansing in Western Sudan," now widely referenced by the UN and international humanitarian organizations, was distributed this way in 1999.
In 2002, fearing for his safety, Mr. Yahya sought political asylum in the United States where he founded the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, continuing and expanding the work begun in Cairo.
Since settling in the USA, Yahya and the Coalition have worked endlessly to promote the rights of the people of Darfur, ensure the preservation of their ethnic communities, and seek to guarantee equality, freedom and democracy for all people in Sudan and throughout the world.
Yahya is a warmly welcomed speaker on University campuses, at political forums and rallies as a strong human rights advocate. He works tirelessly representing the plight of his people, engaging and motivating audiences of all sizes, faiths and denominations. He has shared the podium with international humanitarian aid advocates such as
Mia Farrow,
John Prendergast (ENOUGH) and
Jerry Fowler (newly appointed President of Save Darfur), and rallied for empowered U.N. Peacekeepers alongside
Gloria Steinem in front of the UN.
The death toll since 1993, when Yahya's family was attacked and their village destroyed, is estimated at 400,000 people. Another 2.5 million live in refugee camps, where they are far from safe. So he continues to join forces with all who will speak for the millions of silenced Darfuri voices.
Adam Sterling first became aware of the Darfur crisis while still in college. Greatly impacted by the news of the atrocities taking place in Sudan and the suffering of the Darfuri people, he became an ardent advocate for justice, speaking at every opportunity to all who would give him the time to hear his plea for help. With the support of family and friends he successfully led the charge for California's divestment from Sudan and humbly stood alongside
Don Cheadle and
George Clooney as Governor
Arnold Schwartzenegger signed the bill into California law.
A recent graduate of the University of California, with degrees in African American studies and political science, Adam has received a number of humanitarian awards and serves as an advisor on Sudan engagement issues to numerous state pension funds, state legislators, and federal representatives.
Today Adam Sterling follows his heart and his beliefs. He works as the director of the Sudan Divestment Task Force, a project of the Genocide Intervention Network. He is extensively quoted and published. His writings and work have appeared extensively in the press, including contributions to
The Wall Street Journal,
The New York Times,
The LA Times,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
The SF Chronicle,
The Christian Science Monitor and
National Public Radio.
Adam Sterling, is a dedicated anti-genocide activist and Sudan divestment advocate whose work is prominently featured in the recently launched documentary film,
Darfur Now. There is no better role model for today's youth.
Sterling will join Mohamed Yahya on the podium at the Auraria Campus on Feb. 6 at 11:30 am as well as the Student Forum raking place at Kent Denver the next day.
The third celebrity to join the students in speaking out at the Forum is
Michael Ditchfield, a prominent Denver businessman with an extensive background in humanitarian causes and professional sports.As President of Sixteenth of May Foundation, an international nonprofit organization promoting humanitarian support in Sudan, he recently traveled to Sudan where he, and
"Daniel" Deng Bol Aruei, assessed the needs for helping the Sudanese people rebuild their lives.
Always the sportsman with a deep sense of concern for children, and as a former Goodwill Ambassador to Africa for Project C.U.R.E, Ditchfield has worked in Rwanda with the orphans of the 1994 genocide, establishing a branch of the Sports for Peace Foundation. He was also instrumental in bringing sports into Project Mercy in Ethiopia.
Ditchfield firmly believes that progress can be made when there is a collaborative effort by all concerned, and that the voices of the people are heard and acted upon with respect to their feelings. This Middle School Forum provides the opportunity for Michael Ditchfield to connect and motivate Denver's youth to "keep going" towards achieving goals for themselves and others, thereby making the world a better place for all people.Denver students have set the bar for global change.
Through education and action they have the power to repair the world.
For more information about the 2nd Annual Student Anti--Genocide Forum being hosted at Kent Denver School Feb. 7, 2008 at 10 a.m. contact Sara Kornfeld 303-596-8210