Sudan Divestment Oxford is contributing to a worldwide campaign to bring an end to this crisis through the use of targeted divestment. After being formed by a group of Oxford students in February 2007, we are putting pressure on colleges to divest from companies who are funding the Government of Sudan. Through this financial pressure we hope induce the Sudanese government into changing its actions in Darfur.

In Oxford we have much support from groups such as the Student Union’s Environment & Ethics Committee, Oxford Aegis Society and Hands Up for Darfur, as well as our honorary advisors, Professor John Toye, professor of Development Economics and Mr Gavin Williams, tutor and lecturer in African Politics, with whom we work in partnership to make our campaign as effective as possible.

The aim of the targeted divestment campaign is to induce the Sudanese government into changing its actions in Darfur through financial pressure. It costs large sums of money to sustain the operations of the janjaweed militia, Sudanese army and airforce in Darfur. Sudan’s government revenues come from several sources: internal taxes, development aid, revenue from external trade, especially oil. Targeted divestment seeks to withdraw foreign involvement in those sectors which provide revenues directly to the Sudanese government and elite but do not benefit the wider population.

In Sudan these sectors, especially oil, are supported by foreign expertise and investment. These foreign firms raise money from investors and savers in this country and elsewhere.

Cutting these foreign ties will cut the flow of revenue via foreign firms to the Sudanese government and janjaweed militia.

The Sudan Divestment Taskforce divestment model, which is used by Sudan Divestment Oxford, targets companies that meet the following criteria:
- Contribute to Sudanese government revenue or government sponsored projects; - Impart minimal benefit to Sudanese people; and
- Have demonstrated no substantial corporate governance policy regarding the Darfur situation.

Website:	http://www.sudandivestmentoxford.org.uk/
Contact Name:	Lara Nelson
E-mail:	lara.nelson [at] greyfriars.ox.ac.uk
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Category:	Politics
Networks:	Oxford University