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NEW NATION to be born in July 2011 – Republic of South Sudan!

NEW NATION to be born in July 2011 – Republic of South Sudan!

This week WE THE PEOPLE of ROCK COUNTY have special opportunity to learn about the developments toward the BIRTH of the new nation of REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN coming in JULY! GEORGE CLOONEY has been involved in this INDEPENDENCE movement to protect the people of SOUTH SUDAN from a GENOCIDE by (north) SUDAN.

I was glad to learn that ANITA HENDERLIGHT was coming back to ROCK COUNTY again this year from my wife, Marilyn. ANITA was here speaking in MILTON last SEPTEMBER 2010. MARILYN has been following and involved with ANITA's work and mission in South Sudan.

YOU will gain a lot of information and perspective by reading ANNA MARIE LUX’s informative OUTstanding “Between The Lines” column, “BIRTH OF A NATION: Speaker shares story of South Sudan” on front page of today’s Janesville Gazette. IF you are a subscriber to the Gazette, you will have the PRINT edition or you can read online. IF you are NOT a subscriber to the Gazette, YOU MUST BUY A PRINT COPY to read. I urge you to make the investment to read this column today!

If you want to see a picture of ANITA with GEORGE CLOONEY, take a look at the Milton Courier's article, "Southern Sudan expert to present in Rock County."

I knew about the infamous history of SUDAN with the GENOCIDE of DARFUR. So, when Marilyn told me ANITA was returning now to talk about SUDAN since the independence referendum passed OVERwhelmingly for INDEPENDENCE of SOUTH SUDAN earlier this year, I needed to learn more.

I turned to the general article, “Sudan” in Wikipedia for a general overview. I encourage YOU to use this link to gain more information. And then I read other resources both to verify the Wikipedia article and to gain other information and perspectives.

I recommend the following: CIA – The World Fact Book article on “Sudan.” US Department of State’s “Background Notes” profile, “Republic of the Sudan.” BBC News’ “Sudan Country Profile.”

There are several opportunities on Wed. and Thurs. of this week to meet and hear ANITA HENDERLIGHT, the executive director of the non-profit, non-governmental group focused on EDUCATION for children & youth in SOUTH SUDAN, African Education & Leadership Initiative (ELI). Anita will be accompanied by MATT KING, a NEW staffer of ELI. Just this morning I got access to a very interesting background article about Matt King by Melanie Tucker published just last week on April 8, "Stretching our boundaries: Maryville man changes course for South Sudan." I am sure that YOU will be interested and inspired by this report about Matt's "call" to international mission from his banking job.

These OPPORTUNITIES are:

Wed., Apr. 13 – Society for Learning Unlimited class at First Congregational Church of Beloit, 801 Bushnell , Beloit. Unlimited and FREE class session from 1- 3 pm. Please call SLU to register: 608-363-2254.

Wed., Apr. 13 – Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Avenue, Janesville – 6:30 – 7:30 pm Lenten Service & program. OPEN to the public. FREE.

Thurs., Apr. 14 – Janesville Academy for International Studies, 31 West Milwaukee Street – 11 am – 12:30 pm - Brunch for Women. Participants expected to bring a dish to pass. There will be a session with ANITA presenting to the students and GENERAL PUBLIC from 1 – 3 pm at the Academy. OPEN to the public. FREE. 7-8 pm Diversity Action Team hosts ANITA at the Academy. OPEN to the public. FREE.

This is our opportunity to learn about this developing NEW NATION with the AUDACITY of HOPE of PEACE & DEVELOPMENT in SUDAN after years and years of CIVIL WAR. Time will tell…

I myself look forward to being able to attend the 1-3 pm session at the Janesville Academy for International Studies since I am over at UW-Waukesha for my “American Government & Politics” Wed pm – Thurs am.

Here we go…

Mr. E.

John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.