Sudanese Leaders from the Diaspora Gather in Denver for Training
Posted by metroafrican on Dec 7, 2009 in Featured • No comments
Three weeks of intensive leadership training kicked off last Monday evening with a party to welcome future Sudanese leaders visiting Denver from the U.S., Canada and Juba. Below is a report and photos from the event. Visit sudanlions.org for more info on the Leadership Institute of New Sudan and join LIONS tomorrow, December 8, as they welcome Roger Winter, former representative on Sudan for the U.S. Department of State, negotiator on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and current advisor to the Government of Southern Sudan and the SPLM. Mr. Winter will be speaking on the topic “Is a United Sudan Possible? The Comprehensive Peace Agreement Today”.
November 30, 2009 — Report on Welcome Ceremony for the Leadership Institute of New Sudan
Denver, CO, USA – On Monday, November 30, 2009 the participants of the first course offered by the Leadership Institute of New Sudan were warmly welcomed by representatives of the co-host institution , The University of Denver, Josef Korbel Graduate School of International Studies, and other local groups working in partnership with LIONS. The group of 75 gathered in the Fellowship Hall of the University Park Methodist Church, listening to music provided by local musicians led by Sam Pritchett, while traditional Sudanese food was served to the gathering at a dinner hosted by the local Sudanese community.
A spirit of enthusiasm and positive energy filled the room at the launching of this major step in the development of a Sudanese oriented leadership program. The problems of Sudan can only be addressed when leaders are equipped to serve the community and to work in teams.
Dr. Peter Van Arsdale, the liaison with the University of Denver (DU), addressed the group and said it was an honor for the University of Denver to have the opportunity to act as a host to LIONS. He spoke of his own experiences of the hospitality offered to him during a visit to Kordofan and other areas of western Sudan when he was working on a water project. “I know that the Sudanese people pride themselves on being hospitable and I experienced this personally. I hope all of you Sudanese will feel that you are most welcome here and we expect great things to grow from the LIONS program.” Dr. Van Arsdale and other professors at DU will participate in the three week course.
His remarks were followed by those of Anita Sanborn, member of the Board of Directors for LIONS. She acknowledged the work of many people and said that LIONS is a dream shared by many Sudanese people. It is a shared dream that has been brought to life by the founder, Executive Director Mangar Gordon Amerdid, and a dedicated group of Sudanese and American friends. The dream has been born out desperation and suffering but holds the promise of the day when all the people of Sudan will have the opportunity to experience peace and prosperity. “Sudan does not need just one great leader but rather many many good leaders who serve the people in every village and town and throughout the country at every level,” Sanborn said.
Amerdid closed the ceremony by encouraging the participants to serve the people as future leaders of Sudan by sharing the highest qualities of leadership throughout all regions of Sudan and to work in bringing development especially to the marginalized areas of Sudan where people have not experienced yet the benefits of peace.
Everyone agreed it was a good beginning to a long term project and people felt energized and full of hope. ####
Related posts:
