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Announcements

In September, Banaa welcomed our second scholar, Mo Hassan! Mo is studying on a full Banaa scholarship at the
University of Rochester.
Click here to learn more about Mo!

In April, the Clinton Global Initiative honored Banaa and Makwei at their annual CGI-U conference. Click here for the story!

Banaa has received over 170 applications since our first call for applications in 2008! Dozens of qualified peace-builders are awaiting scholarship opportunities. Bring a scholar to your campus!

About Banaa

Banaa: the Sudan Educational Empowerment Network identifies talented young Sudanese affected by atrocities and committed to building lasting peace in their country. The program provides these emerging leaders a four-year US undergraduate education, apprenticeships with global NGO leaders, and jobs in conflict resolution and sustainable development back in Sudan.

Learn the details of the program.



How does Banaa Work?

Program leaders at GW University work with students, faculty and administrators at colleges and universities across the United States to create Banaa scholarship opportunities.

Banaa’s specialized application process recruits the brightest young people from Sudan’s most vulnerable communities. We maintain a database of highly qualified candidates who demonstrate:

  • Clear understanding of the basic causes of conflict in their communities
  • Outstanding dedication to building peace and the desire to acquire critical skill sets
  • Sufficient academic preparedness to excel in a rigorous college setting

Candidates are assessed by our Board of Advisors and forwarded to college admissions officers for special review.

Banaa also works with NGO partners to secure mentorships, development and conflict resolution training, summer internships in Washington DC, and employment in Sudan upon completion of the program.



Why Sudan? Why Scholarships?

Sudan has been at war for 40 of its 52 years as an independent state. The clearest cause of this violence is not racism but regional disparities in income, education, infrastructure, and political power. While Khartoum, the capital area, grows at a rate of 12% per year, peripheral regions are mired in a state of poverty and neglect that inspires insurrection and feeds cycles of violence.

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The Sudanese Diaspora

The Sudanese Diaspora - comprised of individuals from myriad ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds - is a critical component of the Banaa network

  1. Banaa applies the principle of equitable representation reflexively: in the very task of empowering Sudanese citizens, Banaa relies on the Sudanese Diaspora for leadership and guidance.

  2. The Diaspora offers a wealth of opportunities during the Banaa scholar's course of study for support and encouragement.

  3. Banaa chapters each forge ties to the local Sudanese Diaspora community

  4. There are many cultural support groups that provide key services for refugee and immigrant communities around the country. These organizations will work with Banaa and the Sudanese Diaspora to support the Banaa scholars.

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The Banaa Board of Advisers

Leon Fuerth
Former national security advisor to Vice President Al Gore.  A former Foreign Service Officer and arms-control expert, Fuerth served on the Principals' Committee of the National Security Council, alongside the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the President's own national security adviser during the Clinton Administration.  He currently directs the Project on Forward Engagement, which aims to integrate long-range planning techniques into the US and global governance

David Shinn
Former Ambassador to Ethiopia, Director for East African Affairs at U.S. Department of State, Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Khartoum.  Dr. Shinn is currently a professor in the Elliot School.

Linda Bisahi
Senior Program Officer at the United Stated Institute of Peace.  A graduate of Harvard, Georgetown Law School, and the London School of Economics, Dr. Bishai focuses on secondary and university education in international relations, conflict resolution, human rights, and peace studies. She is responsible for curriculum development and developing faculty and teacher workshops throughout the United States and in conflict zones, especially the Sudan.

Robert Paul Churchill
Former Chair of the Department of Philosophy at The George Washington University, Professor Churchill has written extensively on Cosmopolitanism.

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News

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