A new animated video detailing the situation in Sudan and the critical nature of the upcoming referendum is available from the Episcopal Church Office of Communication.
A Sudanese-wide referendum is slated for January 9, 2011 which, if successful, will establish a separate Southern Sudan with full rights to self-determination.
At four minutes long, the new animated video, enhanced with music, is ideal as an educational tool for learning more about Sudan and for understanding the enormity of the situation.
“The situation in Sudan can be overwhelming, and we felt it was important to present information in a clear, understanding manner for all,” noted Michael Collins, director of digital media. “The use of animation is key is delivering a concise, understandable message.”
Among the facts presented in the new video are:
Sudan is Africa’s largest country in area and is the tenth-largest country in the world.
Civil wars lasting about 40 years came to an end in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which gave the south political autonomy for six years, to be followed in 2011 by a referendum on secession.
About 17% of the population of Sudan lives on less than $1.25 US per day.
There are a myriad of issues standing in the way of peace, among them: just revenue sharing from oil; definition of borders; usage rights of the Nile which divide the country; repayment of debt to the world bank; recognition of religious and civil rights for all Sudanese; and full cessation of violence in Darfur.
The Episcopal Church of the Sudan is based in the southern city of Juba and has been a long-standing and outspoken voice for peace.
The animated video can be used for discussions, Bible Study, at coffee hour, and other forums.
“The video is shareable and embeddable and we encourage people to do just that,” Collins added, “We want people to share this with their family and their friends.”
Also, a newly-released musical composition that captures the spirit of the people on the fault line in Sudan’s bloody civil conflict has its roots in the relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and the Sudanese Diocese of Renk.
In Voices of Faith, Chicago composer Chris Beckstrom, has woven song, percussion and handclapping recorded in Sudan by members of the Chicago diocese’s Renk Media Team into an original 12-track audio CD available for $20 through Amazon.com. All proceeds benefit the Diocese of Renk.
“Working on the music for this project was definitely one of the most interesting and enjoyable projects I’ve ever been a part of!” said Beckstrom. “It was a challenge to keep intact the dignity of the Sudanese and their culture while trying to keep the music accessible to Western audiences. My hope is the music amplifies the lives of the Sudanese people for its listeners.”
The dioceses of Chicago and Renk have maintained a “companion relationship” for nine years, exchanging visits and sharing resources. Members of the Renk Media Team accompanied Bishop Jeff Lee of Chicago on a visit to Sudan in January, and returned with audio, video and still photographs to raise aware of the plight of Christians in Renk, which sits on the border between Sudan’s mostly Muslim north and its mostly Christian south.
“I hope this CD will give people who may not yet be interested in the lives of the people of Sudan another doorway into their culture, their story and their spirit,” said the Rev. Kevin Goodman, associate dean of St. James Cathedral in Chicago, and leader of the Renk Media Team. “I hope people will enter the lives of the people there at this volatile moment, and act to see that justice is done.”
The Renk Media Team also produced a video for dioceses considering forming partnerships with dioceses in the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and a video on the plight of Sudanese Christians. Information on the videos is available on the group’s Facebook page.