FCO Press Release highlights the work of Akuja and GESS

FCO Press Release: Honours for the best of Britain overseas
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) announces 76 awards for Britons in recognition of exceptional service to Britain overseas.

The Diplomatic Service and Overseas New Year 2017 Honours List recognises extraordinary people in a range of fields overseas including voluntary and charitable work, education, health, assistance to British nationals overseas, the arts and conservation.

Awards go to Professor Jane FRANCIS, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, who receives a DCMG for her services to UK polar science and diplomacy. Anna WINTOUR OBE, Editor-in-chief, American Vogue, receives a DBE for her services to fashion and journalism. The Architect, David ADJAYE OBE and Dr Jeffrey TATE CBE, Chief Conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, each receive a Knight Bachelor.

Sir Simon McDonald, Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:
“Congratulations to everyone honoured today for their outstanding service to the UK overseas. They have all worked hard; their awards are richly deserved.”

Other recipients receiving honours for their work overseas include: 
Akuja de GARANG

GESS Team Leader, Akuja de Garang

Team Leader for Girls Education, South Sudan receives an MBE for services to the promotion of girls’ education and social development in South Sudan Akuja de Garang is recognised for the significant contribution she has made to the development of the world’s newest country, South Sudan, the country of her birth. She returned in 2004 and since then has strived to improve the state of a number of sectors, including child protection, human rights, youth participation, health and education. Most recently, as Team Leader of Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS), an innovative and complex programme tackling barriers to girls’ education in the country, she has been instrumental in the success of the project in reaching over 180,000 girls and providing them with cash grants, to keep them enrolled up to the end of secondary school. She is also a conflict management, humanitarian and development expert with extensive project management experience and has worked in Sudan, Egypt, Israel/Palestine, Kenya, UK and South Sudan.On learning of her award Akuja de Garang said “This is wonderful. More so for the GESS programme and the people of South Sudan.”
 

Categorised in: GESS Events