Student Perspective: Mariia Tarasenko ‘29 reflects on organizing the War in Sudan Fireside Chat series

This semester as a Student Parliament Equal Opportunity, Participation and Nondiscrimination (StuPa EOPND) representative, my main focus was on organizing a series of talks on the ongoing war in Sudan. The idea came from a shared feeling that the war in Sudan, despite its scale and severity, was largely absent from mainstream attention, both within BCB and on a global scale. Unless you actively go looking for information, it is easy to never really encounter it at all. As StuPa, and especially within an EOPND framework, I felt a responsibility to create space for conflicts that are often overlooked and to encourage informed engagement rather than silence. The series was motivated by the belief that universities should not only react to what is already visible, but also actively bring attention to voices and crises that are marginalized or underrepresented.

The reason for doing this is also closely tied to my own experience. Coming from Ukraine, I know how much it matters when a war continues to be spoken about. I’m genuinely grateful that people continue to speak about Ukraine and advocate for it. When you experience war yourself, you realize how much it matters to be seen and acknowledged. A lot of this comes from Ukrainians themselves, but not only from them. I see people from many other countries speaking up, sharing information, and showing support. That kind of visibility might not solve everything, but it does make it harder to ignore what is happening. And it most of all matters to people who are directly affected, as it reminds them that they are not alone, that others see what is happening and care enough to keep talking about it. 

Before this series, I knew almost nothing about Sudan. My first real exposure came only this November, when I saw satellite images, revealing the brutal violence and massacre that has been happening for decades. Just because Sudan feels far away, and just because it doesn’t directly affect us, doesn’t mean it doesn't affect other people any less. There are many populations across the globe who are facing different kinds of oppression and violence. It is important to recognize that distance often brings dehumanization and it is important to pause, reflect and know that it is okay to admit when we do not know enough about a certain conflict in the world. The crucial path for action starts with a willingness to learn, and that is what I wanted us to keep in mind as we shifted our focus on Sudan.

When choosing the speakers it was important to me not to present a single narrative. I wanted the series to reflect multiple perspectives and forms of expertise; that meant bringing together scholars, policy experts, and people with direct connections to Sudan, so the conversation wouldn’t remain abstract or purely theoretical. We began with our BCB faculty member, Dr. Nassim Abighanem, who provided essential historical background and foundational knowledge that gave students the basic tools and context needed to approach the future talks as active and engaged participants.

We then invited Dr. Kurtz from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), whose work focuses on conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. I was particularly drawn to Kurtz’s article "How not to talk about the war in Sudan," which challenges common narratives and oversimplifications, which, I think, is the main issue with Western media when approaching such conflicts. His expertise and critical approach added depth and complexity to the discussion.

Finally, it was very important to us to include a Sudanese voice—the Deputy to the Sudanese Ambassador, Idrees Saeed. While we always need to pay attention to narratives coming from government representatives, especially in a civil war situation, he provided insight into the situation on the ground. Bringing together academic analysis, critical scholarship, and lived political experience allowed the series to reflect multiple viewpoints rather than a single narrative.

At the heart of this project is a belief in the importance of knowledge, especially right now, when polarization is so common and people often stay focused only on what directly affects them. It’s easy to become inward-looking, but I don’t think that should be the limit of our concern. Learning about what’s happening elsewhere helps push us beyond that. It encourages us to look outward, to see people and experiences that are different from our own, and to recognize that these stories deserve attention no less than others.

It is easy to think that small actions do not matter, but they do. Speaking up, learning, and creating spaces like this makes people feel seen. It reminds them that they are not alone, that there are people, even across borders, who stand with them. That kind of support gives strength and hope, and it matters more than we often realize. The impact of this series might not be immediate or measurable in grand terms, but by hosting these events, BCB created a space where the war in Sudan could be addressed openly and thoughtfully. The people who attended these talks may continue reading on the topic, discuss it with others, or carry these perspectives into how they engage with global issues in the future. These extended actions have the potential to create a ripple effect, where knowledge leads to conversation, and conversation leads to further engagement. Providing a space to learn and reflect is not the final step, but it is a necessary one, and it is through these small, intentional acts that broader change becomes possible. 

By Mariia Tarasenko ‘29

Post Date: 01-20-2026