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    South Sudan, Education

    Education for social change and peace in South Sudan

    Project Number: 179.1015

    South Sudanese society is to be united, conflicts must be resolved and peaceful coexistence must be shaped. Education is an important element in advancing the peace process in South Sudan. The Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS), a partner church of Mission 21, operates the Nile Theological College (NTC) as an educational institution and thus makes a contribution. It offers comprehensive theological education that reflects on pressing social issues and develops possible solutions.

    Background information

    Churches and pastors play an important role in South Sudan. This is partly due to historical reasons, as they have offered social services and humanitarian aid in the past. Their importance is still great. Against the backdrop of the recent violent conflicts in South Sudan, the church faces a particular challenge.

    Mission 21 and its partner church PCOSS are convinced that faith can play a central role in development and peace in the country. High-quality theological education and training is a key element in this. The PCOSS therefore considers the promotion of its theological training center, the Nile Theological College (NTC), to be one of its central tasks. After graduation, pastors take on a pioneering role in their communities and make a significant contribution to social change. They also play an important role in the reconciliation and peace process. The Nile Theological College, originally founded in Khartoum (Sudan) in 1992, offers teaching at university level. It is officially recognized by the government and is open to students of all South Sudanese denominations. The NTC not only trains leaders for churches, but also teachers.

    Project goals

    Training in theology teaches biblical ethics and thus contributes to peaceful coexistence in the war-torn country. Nile Theological College offers a strong peace-building component in addition to theological education. Graduates will hold important positions in the church and community, expected to engage with social issues in a critical and reflective manner.

    Target group

    The Nile Theological College is open to members of all South Sudanese churches. Scholarships are awarded primarily to female students.

    Activities

    • Two-year diploma course in theology
    • Three-year Bachelor in Theology
    • Educational opportunities for students' spouses and partners
    • Complementary activities for students and faculty for spiritual growth and social cohesion.
    • Peacebuilding and reconciliation work
    • Scholarships

    Project progress

    How does one conduct university theological education in a country in the midst of war? This is a question that those responsible at the NTC have had to ask themselves again and again in recent years. The introduction of a new course in social ethics has proven to be a trend-setter. The course addresses the country's current serious problems and provides strategies for solutions and action. In this way, the church is trying to live up to its social responsibility and provide adequately trained leaders.

    In recent years, the NTC has been able to re-establish itself in the capital Juba after fleeing the city of Malakal. While only 18 students (none female) were enrolled in 2015, 142 students (including 18 female students) were enrolled in 2023. In 2023, 140 students were enrolled and 26 successfully completed their Bachelor's degree (including 8 women). NTC was able to move to a larger building at the beginning of 2020 and thus work more efficiently. Mission 21's internet service helps students with their research and simplifies communication with employees. Due to the political unrest in Sudan in April 2023, there is an influx of students seeking high-quality theological education in South Sudan. The number of evening students has increased from 47 to 75, exacerbating capacity issues. The college has adapted to the difficult situation in cooperation with local churches: thanks to a new lecture hall and 30 new benches, there is room for more students. New partnerships have made it possible to support the students' meals.

    Alternative map

    South Sudan

    • Around 11 million inhabitants
    • 4.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes since 2013 - education is an important element in promoting peace
    • A total of about 25,000 people are enrolled as students in South Sudan

     

    Project budget 2025

    CHF 34'500

    csm florence hakim 2 3 0b1791bb9d

    Guliba Florence Hakim

    Coordinator South Sudan
    â–º Email

    jacqueline

    Jacqueline Brunner

    Team leader church partnerships

    Tel. 061 260 23 37
    â–º E-mail

    mg 8598

    Dorina Waldmeyer

    Program Officer South Sudan
    Tel: +41 (0)61 260 22 58
    â–º E-mail

    Hope thanks to your support

    Mission 21
    Protestant Mission Basel

    PO Box 270
    Missionsstrasse 21
    4009 Basel, Switzerland
    Tel.: +41 (0)61 260 21 20
    info@mission-21.org

    Donation account Switzerland:
    IBAN: CH58 0900 0000 4072 6233 2
    Tax exemption number:
    CHE-105.706.527

    Donation account Germany:
    Savings Bank Lörrach-Rheinfelden
    Swift BIC: SKLODE66
    BLZ: 683 500 48
    IBAN: DE39 6835 0048 0001 0323 33
    Account No. : 1032333

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