Emmanuel Jal: Story of a War Child

In October 2019, the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy welcomed Emmanuel Jal as the guest lecturer for the World Affairs Lecture Series.

In his early life, Emmanuel was recruited as a child soldier in war-torn Southern Sudan. After overcoming unbelievable challenges and escaping his situation, he went on to become a successful recording artist and peace ambassador.

Emmanuel's long list of accomplishments includes six awards nominated studio albums, co-starring in the film The Good Lie with Reese Witherspoon and involvement with a number of global charity organizations, including the British Council, the Child Soldiers Initiative, Amnesty International and Oxfam. In 2010, he released ‘We Want Peace’, part of a wider campaign of the same name that called for peace, protection, and justice for all of Sudan, as well as calling for an end to all conflicts that affect innocent people around the world. For his outstanding commitment to peacebuilding, he was awarded the Vaclav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent 2018, Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Award 2017, Hero in the global campaign against violent extremism – UNESCO 2016, The Hunt Humanitarian Award, The Dresden Peace Prize and The Common Ground Award among others. Emmanuel is also the creator of Jal Gua, a gluten-free superfood powder

An extremely resilient man, Emmanuel speaks and performs all around the world, delivering a message of hope and peace. He uses his past experiences and background to change lives and inspire youth all over the world who have become disengaged with education and society.

Through all of his successes, Emmanuel’s greatest pride is his charity, Gua Africa, which supports those affected by war and poverty in South Sudan.


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