We strive to train young leaders to speak out against prejudice and campaign to raise awareness for human rights violations and genocide today. 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, wh
o 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. The work of Aegis Students is officially supported by the National Union of Students in the UK.
