Aegis Students is a subsidiary of Aegis Trust. The word Aegis means ‘Shield’ or ‘Protection’, reflecting the need to protect vulnerable people against genocide and crimes against humanity. Aegis was established in 2000 to campaign against genocide and mass atrocities, and its activities include research, policy, education, commemoration, media work, campaigns and humanitarian support for victims.
Dr. James Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of Aegis Trust, realised the need for creating a grassroots student movement to educate and mobilise young people on the important issues surrounding genocide and mass atrocities.
The passion of four students, who had spent their pre-university gap years working with Aegis Trust, added fuel to Dr. Smith’s idea. The students travelled to Rwanda, raised funds for Aegis’ projects in the country and worked on Aegis’ Protect Darfur campaign.
They were so inspired by their experiences that each went on to found an Aegis Students societies at their respective universities. The first society was launched at Oxford University in May 2005 and others soon followed in Derby, Kingston and Nottingham Trent. The movement rapidly grew to a national level and was officially launched as Aegis Students in April 2006 at 1 Parliament Street, London.
From there Aegis Students has grown to an international organisation, with societies in countries such as Rwanda, Canada and the United States.
The work of Aegis Students is officially supported by the National Union of Students in the UK.
Aegis Students is proud to have stood in solidarity with Darfuri asylum seekers and survivors at many events and demonstrations, hosted numerous talks by Darfuris and played a major role in a number of Global Days for Darfur in the UK.
