'Just Peace' Documentary Film gives Hope to Sudanese Children

A short 24-minute documentary film titled 'Just Peace' about Sudanese children caught up in the long civil war, and emphasising the thirst and importance of education, has been released by aid agencies. The film aims to show that Sudan's story is not just about the story of violence in Darfur.

The ScreenStation, non-profit organisation promoting global film, screening, training and producing educational resources, currently involved in productions in UK, Sudan, Zanzibar, Sierra Leone and India was approached by the Sudan Advocacy Coalition (SAC). SAC is a network of six international agencies, CARE International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK and Tearfund.

"Sudan is not just a conflict in Darfur which we've all heard about, but also a conflict in the south that's been going on for 20 years, which we hope is ending," said Andy Jones from ScreenStation at the UK premiere of the film.

The war between north and south resulted in around four million people being displaced, as well as fighting in the western Sudanese region of Darfur also making front pages of newspapers.

In January 2005, fighting was ended via peace agreements and NGOs are currently helping with the huge task of helping people to return to their homes with almost no infrastructure, no healthy services and very few schools. "My salvation is in education," expresses Sulwa, that was forced to move out from her village in the Nuba Mountains and cannot afford to go to school.

"If you are educated, you have access to knowledge. You will know how the world is, and what the future holds," says former child soldier Michael, an orphan from North Sudan, about the film which gives a voice to children around the vast country of Sudan.