New Sudanese Indigenous NGOs Network (NESI Network).
NESI is a network of 67 local member organisations operating in various sectors in Southern Sudan, with a focus on strengthening the voice of civil society. NESI aims to strengthen the role of civil society in political processes by:
- Building effective networks;
- Strengthening the Network’s members;
- Pooling financial and human resources; and
- Providing a focus for civil society in areas such as peacebuilding, human rights, advocacy, and conflict based on natural resources.
NESI works to involve civil society in the peace process and advocates for a greater role for civil society in decision-making processes.
NESI participated in the drafting of the current Southern Sudan constitution and currently is making proposals regarding civil society law to the Government of South Sudan. NESI Network was also actively involved in the processes that culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan.
Through its activities, NESI has made the following conclusions:
- Democracy is enhanced through the involvement of civil society in governance processes;
- In the current context of peace, civil society will be obliged to complement government efforts in the provision of basic services to Southern Sudanese; and
- The sustenance of peace requires collated local, national and international efforts.
Engendering Peace
‘Engendering Peace’ is a Sudanese training project which brings together civil society groups and representatives of state institutions in order to increase their understanding of human rights law.
Training is given to lawyers, magistrates, and civil servants, as well as representatives of civil society and the human rights movement in South Sudan. The project aims to raise knowledge of international human rights law, its development and its relevance to Sudan. The objective is to help create a human rights culture and help strengthen the rule of law in South Sudan. This is achieved by bringing together SPLM Judiciary officials and members of civil society in a single forum and providing access to training from renowned scholars in the field of human rights.
The aims and objectives of this initiative are:
- To train Sudanese people at the community level in human rights and good governance; and
- To inculcate respect for human rights amongst the Southern Sudanese, with a view to making it an integral component of a sustained peace.
