OUR PROGRAMMES

1. Tableau Vivant was an artistic and educational programme designed to help disadvantaged children (from Community and Refugee background) based in London. The aim of the project was to develop better communication skills, to build self-esteem and confidence and to provide a unique means for expression and creativity through the use of digital or film-based photography.

The Tableau Vivant curriculum was set up at the Leighton House Museum from October 2006 until July 2007. The project combined a series of workshops for six to twelve year old pupils who do not usually have access to a camera. By the end they had produced their own group exhibition at the museum in July 2007.

The programme was created by the artist-in-residence Frédérique Cifuentes and Sudanese Mothers For Peace, inspired by Leighton House Museum, its collection and learning events. She took the opportunity of the position to share her knowledge of photography and spread the benefit of this artistic activity to disadvantaged children. They developped her teaching resources to create a learning environment where ideas and creativity could thrive.

Students in the project followed the specially designed lesson plans divided into five main themes :

1- Exploring the museum

2- Basics skills of photography

3- Tableau Vivant set up and studio shooting

4- Group critic sessions

5- Writing assignments and captions

The final group exhibition showed how the children have used photography to improve their writing abilities, cognitive thinking, classroom communication skills and technical skills. Children whose and culture are disregarded tend to develop low self-esteem, which in turn can lead to under-achievement. The project brought a strong cultural input through the practice of photography. It has given the children a real sense of their position in society. The series of workshops and the final exhibition in this prestigious venue have helped the children to express their feelings and to increase their visual and verbal literacy.

The community leaders were also involved in carrying out the project and helped to achieve high quality work. They contributed text, captions and drawings. The community leaders provided great support by introducing the project to the children.

• The NGO Committee on the Status of Women cordially invited Mrs Khadiga Hussein, chairperson of the organisation Sudanese Mothers For Peace to the 51st Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
•  Events were co-sponsored by the NGO Committees on the Status of Women, the Working Group on Girls of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, and U.N. partners as listed. The committees of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) represent ed the many hundreds of NGOs in consultative relationship with ECOSOC. Organization of the events were facilitated by the U.N. Division for the Advancement of Women.

NGO consultation :

 HIV/AIDS and other girls’ health issues

- Domestic and institutional gender-based violence in all settings

- Empowerment strategies

- Trafficking in girls and commercial sexual exploitation (sexual violence)

- Girls associated with fighting forces (girl soldiers)

- Addressing the poverty of social minority and marginalized girls

- Partnering for girls: Men and boys, the family and the community

- Ensuring girls their human rights

The Arab-African Initiative for Solidarity in Darfur in cooperation with The Sudan Peace Committee (Next Century Foundation / Sudanese Mothers for Peace)

A two day conference to be held in Khartoum. Dates to be confirmed.

PROSPECTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PEACE IN SUDAN

with special emphasis on PROSPECTS for DISENGAGEMENT, RECONCILIATION and RECONSTRUCTION in DARFUR.

The proposed conference follows in the footsteps of a previous conference organized by the Sudan Peace Committee 25-26 August 2005, as part of continuing joint efforts by its two member organizations to provide an alternative diplomatic forum for all Sudanese parties, authorities and interest groups, to discuss possible solutions to and a practical settlement of the current deadly conflict in Darfur.

– The background and politics of the Darfur conflict

– The Failures of Aid Agencies, including the UN

– The Failures of the International Community

–The steps that need to be taken in the immediate future

– The Role of Economic Development (Oil) for Good and Bad

– The Concept of a Pan-Sudan Solution

– The Democratic Alternative

– Closing «Blue Skies» session

The groups of Darfur Women have requested the assistance of Sudanese Mothers For Peace in Capacity Development and Advocacy, in partnership with Subsahara Centre (Canada).

During the past 15 months, several Active Movements of Darfur, Solidarity Groups, Women Groups, Political and Quasi-Political Parties and Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations have requested Subsahara Centre (SSC) to look into developing their capacity in various Conflict Management, Governance and related capabilities through training, roundtables, facilitated session and advisory roles. This came about as a result of SSC’s engagement with most of the Movements and Political/Quasi-Political Parties, Women Groups and Civil Society Organizations of Darfur (or related) in the development of Process Templates for the expected talks between them and the Government of Sudan.

Darfur Organizations/Groups need capacity building in the form of intensive courses to be delivered in countries with heavy density of Darfurian Diaspora or in the field in Darfur or the vicinity of Darfur.

Contact Subsahara Centre

Tag Elkhazin, President SSC Subsahara Centre 1981 Montclair Ave Gloucester, Ontario K1W 1H9, Canada Tel 1-613-834-7817, Fax 1-613-834-4930 E-mail elkhazin@subsaharacentre.ca Website www.subsaharacentre.ca

Project area

This project targets Lagawa Locality in the western part of South Kordofan State. The Locality was previously a part of the Western Kordofan State which was annexed to South Kordofan State after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the National Congress and SPLM. It is inhabited by a number of ethnic groups who used to live peacefully together before the civil strive that started in 1989 and continued till the effectiveness of the CPA.

The proposed project will be carried out in three phases:

1. Conference to facilitate peace building and reconciliation amongst the various tribes inhabiting the Nuba mountains – with the mediation of the local government (or an impartial organisation?).

2. Training of women (and tribal leaders?) to facilitate reconciliation amongst different tribes and change the social culture of war and revenge killing prevalent in this area.

3. Long-term (2-3 years) development programme creating opportunities for generating income and bringing members of different tribes together in mutually beneficial activities.

a. This aspect of the project will need to address the lack of basic services in the area, such as water, sanitation, skilled medical personnel and education, by providing sustainable development assistance to its people.

b. It will also need to respond to security concerns by securing food and water supplies as well as devising a mechanism to apportion and utilize agricultural land efficiently.

Our organization has been dedicated to empowering Sudanese mothers by providing them with essential resources and support. We have worked tirelessly to expand our services and reach more mothers in need. With the help of our partners, we have been able to increase our programmes and make a positive impact in the lives of many women.

Our partnership with various organizations has been crucial in helping us achieve our goals. These partners have provided us with the necessary resources and funding to expand our reach and provide even more support to Sudanese mothers. Without their support, we would not have been able to accomplish all that we have.

Through our programmes, we have been able to provide mothers with access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. We have also worked to raise awareness about issues affecting Sudanese mothers and advocate for their rights. Our efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of many women and have helped to empower them to build a better future for themselves and their families.

As we continue on our mission to support Sudanese mothers, we are grateful for the support of our partners and the dedication of our team. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact and create a brighter future for all Sudanese mothers.