GW STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur), a student group that promotes protection and relief for the people of Darfur, has launched Banaa: the Sudan Educational Empowerment Network. With help from President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and a grant from GW, Banaa seeks to help lay the groundwork for broad-based social change in Sudan.

The program empowers young Sudanese scholars to become connected peace-brokers, brining them to universities in North America, helping them to network with leading international organizations and earn undergraduate degrees. The scholars train to be effective advocates for their people and return to Sudan to work as community organizers and global liaisons. President Trachtenberg has pledged to fund one student’s GW education each year and to encourage other University administrators to adopt the program. For more information on how you can help, please visit Banaa’s website.