Conference Successfully Concluded: The Bhar Al Ghazal Youths Union in Australia

By Deng M. Koch,

As announced on December 30, 2006, the Bhar Al Ghazal Youth Union in Australia
organized a three day national conference for the people of Bhar Al Ghazal, which
was held in Sydney, Australia from January 5 to 8th 2007. It was a success story in
as far as the organization, attendance and resolutions of the conference was
concerned. Bhar Al Ghazalians of all walks of life, elders, youths, children and you
name them, from within the State of New South Wales (Sydney) as well as from other
States were present. Delegates and individual participants from other States notably
Victoria (Melbourne), Tasmania (Hobart) and Western Australia (Perth) among others
attended the conference.

The themes of the conference were: Culture, Education and Health and the question of
Referendum. The issue of Sudanese culture in new Environments such as Australia was
discussed at length on the first day. On the second day the other two important
issues (Education & Health) were discussed and possible solutions to perceived
problems were suggested. The key speakers included:

Professor Marial Takpiny - officially opened the conference on the first day and
presented his views on the issue of culture. Prof. Takpiny began by appreciating the
youths and outlining the background of Bhar Al Ghazal as a region. He explained how
the name emerged and the geographical scope as well as the inhabitant communities of
the region. He emphasized that migrants of any cultural and national backgrounds in
any setting of environment, must always work extra hard in order to be successful in
life, pointing out that one has to aim above average if he/she was to be considered
part of the establishment among the host country's people. Therefore he concluded by
saying that the youths should not lose sight of education and work that they invest
in for their future.

On education Dr. Mamer Ahoch was the key speaker. He started by giving thanks to the
organizers of the conference and the youths in general, and then explained the
difference between the formal and informal education systems. Dr. Ahoch urged the
youths to make maximum use of the available opportunities to acquire all the
necessary skills in education. He sent his audience into wild applause and laughter
when he made examples of how some Southern Sudanese at home tend to discriminate or
despite certain types of skills and jobs.  Dr. Ahoch noted that level of education
among Southern Sudanese currently is promising, unlike during the time when the
Rumbek Senior Secondary school was the highest institution of learning in the land.

On health, Dr. Matur Gorjok who is a practicing medical Doctor in Australia used his
unique and rare skills to acquaint his audience. He explained various health systems
in Australia and how they work. This was crucial given that many Sudanese, like
other migrants and refugees from other parts of the World, have a very limited
understanding of how the health systems in their host countries work. Another
important component of health that discussed and which is quite of a considerable
concern was the issue nutrition. The participants noted that food composition
determine the physical health of any human being; hence there was a need for a
balanced diet that should give special attention to the four major structures of our
food systems: energy rich foods, body building foods, lipids or fats which regulate
the health of human skins and vitamins rich foods - fruits and vegetables. This
rings the bell when one reflects on the health of the rural African communities,
especially in South Sudan.

Then came the third and final day of the conference! The day was a unique one,
because it brought together the primary participants of the conference (the people
of Bhar Al Ghazal) and representatives of the other regions of the South, namely
Upper Nile, Equatoria and Abyei among others. The theme of the day was REFERENDUM;
hence wasn't something the communities of Bhar al ghazal can tackle alone!! One of
the youth leaders presented his views on the issue and someone from Abyei also spoke
on the same issue before the participants broke into their various groups of
workshop. The topic which included the question of Abyei, was an emotional one. For
obvious reasons, the type of discussions and resolutions agreed cannot be explained
in details herein.

The other notable speakers included some B.G. community members: Madame Nyidhuor
Dau, Madame Teresa Awien, Miss Agum Daniel Awet (visiting from Canada through Juba),
Clement Angui Deng Manyang (Chairman of the Bhar Al Ghazal community in Victoria),
and Mr. David M. Kuel, (Youths Rep. from Tasmania), Mr. Akoc Akuei Manhiem,
(Representative of the Lost Boys). Mr. Dut Akot spoke on behalf of the conference
advisory committee. Miss Adol Makeny Dhieu, secretary of the Bhar al Ghazal youth
Union steered the conference throughout, assisted by misters Agar Anyar and Deng
Ajak Deng. The Chairman of the Bhar al ghazal Youth Union, Mr. Zacharia Mawaat
Maciek gave the vote of thanks! Mr Malith Ngang spoke on behalf of Upper Nile
region.

However, the most interesting and exciting part of the conference was the
entertainment. There was a long chain of entertainer groups, vocal singers,
guitarists, performers and more importantly, some of the Bhar Al ghazal Region's
unique and fascinating traditional dances. The host (Bahai Centre) through what they
call swaat (Services with an attitude) excited the audience with their unique
performances. An American singer from Hawaii, Mr. Gary, sang as some elegant girls
and handsome boys performed a unique rhythm and dance. This was followed by PEACE
JAZZ from Abyei! With the Song, Abyei ye pan nga? The singer and his team stirred up
the audience as the message conveyed in the songs was an emotional one; hence a
substantial number of people found themselves dancing in solidarity!

The Next group were from Gogrial (Gagrial Akuol), led in the song by the young and
energetic Miss Achol Madut Ring (daughter of the late Pilot Madut Ring). They danced
to the cheers of the audience that included a number of attracted Australians. Their
songs, which are famous among those who have been in Ethiopia, Kakuma and bushes of
Southern Sudan, were sang in unison by audience as the dancers did their fascinating
work. Then the Gok dancers of Cueibet (Gok Marik) came in their equally unique
style, followed by Tuic Mayardit who performed their Mabok Dance. Malual Buoth Anyar
from Aweil then came in and like the previous ones, did a remarkable dance and
songs! Ngok of Abyei (Ngok Deng Kuol) led in songs by Mawien Deng Kuol, performed
their traditional dance which in fact included "kacpiny" or stamping on the ground,
thereby sending a visual message that like those in Gogrial, Tuic, Tonj, Cueibet,
and Rumbek, all who performs similar dance, they are "Muonyjieng" (Dinka) and hence
belong to the south! Agar Dinka of Rumbek also performed in their unique style and
to the excitement of the audience. The last group in the chain of traditional dance
was the Aweil women group, who performed their women dance.

Finally the born in exile generation amazed the audience in their eyebrows rising,
yet fascinating ways, they rappers imitated the Afro-American groups. Not far away
in this emerging trend of alien yet acceptable performances were those imitating the
Congolese girls and boys of Lingala dances. The conference was concluded and the
youngsters were left to dance till the early hours of Monday (January 8, 2007)
morning. All in all the conference was a success in all aspects except the time
keeping. The participants were late in a number of occasions, forcing the organizers
to start the program behind schedules. The Sudanese people must work to rectify the
problem of not respecting indicated time during their functions and events!!

Apart from that, the Bhar Al Ghazal Youths Union initiated and Western Union
Sponsored conference was a milestone in the community's history in Australia. The
discussion of pressing issues that included the future of the Southern Sudanese, and
the showcasing of the community's various and unique cultures meant that the
community is very much conscious of their origin and their future.

Therefore congratulations to the Bhar Al Ghazal Youths Union, the Sponsors of the
Conference in particular the Western Union, the community Services Organizations
that sent in their Representatives, the New South Wales Police who participated in
the event, the experts and elders, the Legion Mary group who gave the spiritual
guide in the conference, the Women and girls who offered their services in the area
of catering, all the participants in the conference and the Bahai Centre that hosted
the three day event.

*Deng M. Koch is the Gurtong Correspondent in Western Australia.