Emmanuel Jal

Emmanuel Jal is a living expert in mental health and resilience. He started his life as a child soldier in war torn South-Sudan and after overcoming a number of struggles, transformed his life into one of a successful recording artist, peace ambassador, philanthropist and entrepreneur. On his pathway to peace, Emmanuel developed a method to rewire his mind, which was overwhelmed by experiences of war, poverty, and trauma.

Through his energetic and unique storytelling approach, Jal inspires audiences to find their own inner peace and balance to cope with stress and anxiety. 

Through this presentation, participants will:

• Learn how to control stress and anxiety.
• Rewrite their limiting beliefs and develop habits for personal and professional success.
• Activate their motivational circuit to achieve their goals.
• Develop a strategy for self-development with actionable steps to create behavioral changes in their professional role and personal life.

In this compelling presentation, Emmanuel uses the power of spoken word and music to provide a truly authentic insight into the complex global issues around poverty and war. Centered around Emmanuel’s remarkable personal experiences, he offers essential knowledge and practical wellbeing tools suitable for any young person.

An accompanying educational pack can be included to this keynote which includes online resources and lessons brought to students through a series of intimate talks, lessons and interactive opportunities.

Emmanuel offers a greater philosophical message about war and peace. He translates his traumatic past as a child soldier into a positive experience that reflects the strength of human character. His lecture focuses on the power of human generosity, the need for political support in Sudan and what each of us can do to make a difference. Music is central to his message and at each appearance as Jal raps for freedom and sings for absolution.

Emmanuel shares his experience as a child soldier for the purposes of social-emotional learning and peace education, while still creating awareness on various issues. We Want Peace maximizes on the learning opportunities around Emmanuel’s story which enable audiences to understand more fully the complex uses around child soldiers, forced migration, war and how to engage in a more peaceful life, starting with education.

Emmanuel shares the story of his remarkable journey from Sudan to Canada. At 11 years old he met a British aid worker who insisted he should not be a soldier. She adopted him and smuggled him to Kenya. After her death he was forced to live in a refugee camp where he focused on music. His songs soon received international acclaim. Now living in Canada, Emmanuel is a model refugee, citizen and someone who gives back to his community. In this presentation he shares his experiences and perspective as a refugee.