"Students Speak Out" Evening

On March 16 2008, we participated in an evening organised by the "Students Speak Out" group, which was aimed at raising awareness about conflicts and genocides, past and present. Musa Mohamed, an active member of the DAN committee in Sydney, addressed the audience about his experience of the Darfur crisis. This was a positive and moving event and it was great to see young students engaging with the Darfur issue in a proactive way. Thanks for the evening guys!  

Canberra Multicultural Festival

In February 2008, Sydney DAN and Melbourne DAN paid a visit to canberra to lobby relevant agencies and government departments. While in the nation's capital, we also attended the annual National Multicultural Festival. At the festival we spread the word about the conflict and gave Canberrans and interstate visitors a chance to meet members of the vibrant Australian Darfuri community. 

The Forgotten People Project Launch

On the evening of December 5 2007, The Darfur Australia Network in Sydney held the launch of the Forgotten People Project at the YWCA cafe on Hyde Park. Thousands of people from around Australia had knotted squares of coloured material representing some of the millions killed or displaced by the Darfur crisis. These knots were displayed in a number of ways around the venue and acted as a tangible reminder of the suffering of Darfuri people.

On the night, we heard from keynote speaker Dr Eileen Pittaway about the importance of the Responsibility to Protect principle in the context of Darfur. DAN coordinator Gillian Cook and Darfuri community spokesman Hafiz Mansor explained the project and asked Australians not to forget the people of Darfur. Deni Hines and Genevieve Little provided musical tributes to the displaced Darfuris and expressed their solidarity with the cause.

Thanks to all who attended and to the YWCA for their support - it was a very moving and informative evening! The knots and an accompanying photo exhibition remained on display at the YWCA throughout December and we hope this gave many more people the chance to learn about Darfur.

Human Rights Torch Relay

On the 25th of October '07 the Darfur Australia Network in Sydney participated in the Global Human Rights Torch Relay, organised in protest of the Olympic Games to be held in China in 2008. The event was intended to highlight the human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government, both within their own country and abroad. Because China has been one of the most irresponsible international actors in the Darfur crisis, we joined together with other groups to register our concern.

Adam Khamis, a member of DAN and of the Darfuri community in Sydney, ran a leg with the Olympic torch and made us all proud!

Reclaim the Night Rally

On the evening of the 24th October '07 the Darfur Australia Network in Sydney participated in the annual Reclaim the Night Rally in Hyde Park. This event is intended to draw attention to the global problem of violence against women. DAN volunteers and women from the Darfuri refugee community attended and shared their stories. There was one man there... thanks for coming Hafiz! The weather was terrible - we had to take turns holding up a tarpaulin in order to protect those assembled from the rain! But the warmth of all those involved remedied any discomfort. 

UNSW Photo Exhibition / Lecture

On 4th of October '07 the Darfur Australia Network and the UN Society at UNSW launched a photo exhibition to raise awareness about Darfur among students. We also held a lecture in conjuction with the exhibit at which Noah Bassil, an expert on the Darfur crisis, provided an indepth analysis of the political history of the region.

Seminar at Customs House

On Thursday 28th June '07 the Darfur Australia Network in Sydney held a seminar at customs house near Circular Quay. Speakers included Jessue Nzenza-Kanhutu (Australia Red Cross), Noah Bassil (Macquarie University) and Hafiz Mansor (Darfur community leader).

World Refugee Day Rally and photo Exhibition

On 20^th June '07, World Refugee Day, The Darfur Australia Network in Sydney held a march to Make Noise for Darfur. Members of the Darfur community gathered with other concerned parties at Hyde Park. Hafiz Mansor, the president of the Darfur Community in Sydney called for the Australian government to contribute to the peace effort in Darfur in any way possible.

To the sound of traditional music and singing by Darfuri women, the group then marched through the CBD to the Prime Minister’s office. Here, a representative of the group attempted to personally hand a letter from the Darfur community to John Howard’s secretary, but were only permitted to deliver it to a guard. The group then proceeded to Circular Quay, congregating against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge.

Later in the afternoon, The Darfur Australia Network launched its Darfur Calling photo exhibition at Customs House.

The Make Noise For Darfur march was intended to encourage Australia to pay greater attention to the ongoing crisis. Although attempts to deliver a letter to the government were hampered, the march succeeded in showing the public that the need for action in Darfur is immediate. The event also allowed the Darfuri people in Sydney to make their presence known as one of the newest and most vibrant elements of the Australian community.

Members of Western Sydney's Darfur Community rally with their friends

Photo: Tim O'Connor

 Darfur Calling

On the evening of the 4th May '07 the Darfur Australia Network held our first event, 'Darfur Calling', at Bowman Hall in Blacktown. The Darfuri women cooked a traditional dinner for the 200 attendees, the children performed an impressive play and members of the Network gave speeches about the situation in Darfur and the aims of DAN.

It was a great chance for the Darfur Network to build our relationships with local service providers and put our name on the map.