US-based Sudanese civil society organization to hold first workshop in south

By Manyang Mayom

November 1, 2010 (RUMBEK) – A civil society organization called Leadership Institute of New Sudan (LIONS) plans to hold workshop from 14 – 20 November 2010 in the regional Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan.

The event, which will be held in partnership with University of Juba will be the first LIONS has held in Sudan. Previous events have been held in the outside Sudan in the US.

In January the south is widely expected to opt for secession in a referendum as part of a 2005 peace deal between the dominant parties of north and south Sudan.

A member of broad of directors of LIONS, Mangar Gordon, told Sudan Tribune by phone from Juba that LION aim to build the capacity of leadership and governance across Southern Sudan.

Mangar said that “the central part purpose of the Leadership Institute of New Sudan is to develop leaders so that the people of the new Sudan can experience the virtues of prosperity, civil rights, and social equality – our focus is democracy, such as political freedom, economic prosperity, access to education and a free and open media”.

He said that Southern Sudan needs vital change as people approach referendum, which could see the region – still recovering from decades of civil war – become the world’s youngest nation.

Gordon said that LIONS is at the forefront of providing solid training programs that will enable the people of Sudan to move into a democratic new government system.

LIONS say their key values are honesty, integrity, freedom, a vision for a new Sudan and civil rights for all people of ‘New Sudan’.

The main objective of LIONS is to attract devoted and knowledgeable individuals who are willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the entire nation of New Sudan. New Sudan will succeed at establishing democratic systems and institutions,” said Gordon.

Gordon also noted that “LIONS is an educational organization that develops democratic leaders for a New Sudan including local, regional and national government, as well as positions in all areas of civil society. LIONS provides a three week course in the United States which incorporates experiential learning, team projects, working in small groups and engaging in lecture and discussion on topics such as conflict management, civil process, constitutional values, project management, ethics, communication”.

LIONS was formed as a leadership training institute for Sudanese in US, Canada, Diaspora and for Sudanese in Sudan who are willing to dedicate themselves to developing democracy in communities throughout Sudan.

“This training program is available to individuals beyond age 18 and older despite being from which tribe but you should be Sudanese citizens as well we allow minimum of women 25% in all our courses,” said Gordon.

(ST)