📍 National Education Union, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD
🗓️ Saturday 2 May 2026
🕥 10:30am – 5:00pm
🎟️ Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/one-struggle-one-hope-congo-sudan-conference-tickets-1985914075459

As war, displacement and resource plunder continue to devastate both Sudan and Congo, this conference brings together trade unionists, campaigners, educators, artists and activists to discuss the roots of these crises — and, crucially, how we build solidarity from below.

Hosted by London International Solidarity Network of the National Education Union, this one-day conference will explore the connections between imperialism, extractivism and war, while centring resistance, education under attack, and the role of international solidarity in supporting struggles for liberation.

Through panel discussions, workshops, film, poetry and music, the day will create space not only to analyse the crises facing Sudan and Congo, but to organise around what can be done.

From frontline voices and trade union perspectives to cultural resistance and collective strategy, this promises to be a vital gathering for all those committed to justice and anti-imperialist solidarity.

Conference Programme

10:30 – 11:00
Film Screening
Basandja, A Tree Prayer – directed by Petna Ndaliko Katondolo

11:00 – 11:15
Conference Opening
Hoda Chentouf

Panel 1: Empire’s Endgame — War & Extractivism in Congo and Sudan

11:15 – 12:00
Chair: Daniel Selwyn
Speakers: Ya-Kil | Mashair Saeed | Mohammed Elnaiem

12:00 – 12:10
Break

12:10 – 12:20
Video Address
Congo Teachers Union

Panel 2: Emergency Education — Children, Schools & Unions Under Siege

12:20 – 13:00
Chair: Hoda Chentouf
Speakers: Za Za Johnson | JJ Bola | Louise Regan

13:00 – 13:50
Lunch

Workshops

Session 1: 13:50–14:35
Session 2: 14:40–15:25

Workshops hosted by:

• MENA Solidarity
• Disarm Education
• Congo Youth Action
• All African Women’s Group & NEU Refugee Solidarity Network

Panel 3: What Is To Be Done? International Solidarity with Congo & Sudan

15:30 – 16:00
Chair: Sala Ba
Speakers: Ya-Kil | Mashair Saeed | Mohammed Elnaiem | Za Za Johnson | JJ Bola | Louise Regan

Including Q&A, solidarity pledge, raffle and collective photo.

Cultural Programme

16:00 – 17:00

Afia Abusham (Poetry)
Jumana Eltgani (Music)
JJ Bola (Poetry)
Ansu Kora’s Trio (Music)

This is more than a conference — it is a space to learn, connect and strengthen the solidarity needed to confront war, occupation and exploitation.

Join us and be part of building international resistance from below.

Take action:

• Read and share our Sudan Solidarity Conference 2026 Statement and Demands widely across your networks, workplaces, unions, and community organisations – download here.
• Share this motion with your union branch and advocate for its adoption: Model Motion – Stand with Sudan: Stop the War, Support the People
• Access our Stop the War in Sudan toolkit and sign the postcard addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the British government to support the Sudanese people.
• Read our analysis, “The Illusion of Choice: Why People Should Reject Both Sides of the War in Sudan”, “Sudan’s Militia War and the Battle for Truth: A new Interview Series“, and “El-Fasher Falls — What It Tells Us About Sudan’s War, The Revolution, And The Fight For Solidarity“, for essential background on the warring factions and the revolutionary alternative.
• Download / order our newly released “Sudan’s Revolutionary and Popular Movements: a research report”. 
• Book your ticket for the new film “Sudan, remember us” at a screening near you.

Download resources:

• Sudan Update July 2025 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Sudan’s Militia War on the People’ Sudan Update April 2025 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Reject both sides in Sudan’s war’ Sudan Update February 2025 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Famine is the new war’ Sudan Update September 2024 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Stopping Sudan’s hidden war’ Sudan Update March 2024 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Why is there a war in Sudan?’ Sudan Update May 2023 – download the leaflet >>here
• ‘Stop the war in Sudan’ Sudan Update April 2023 – download the leaflet >>here
• Stop the war in Sudan / Refugees welcome A4 poster – download >>here