Sudan Divestment Information & Resources

Retirement systems should consider policies of targeted divestment from companies that invest in countries that support terrorism or engage in genocide.

Impact on Humanitarian Goals
According to Amnesty International, over two million civilians have been displaced and more than 200,000 slaughtered in Darfur since 2003. Lawmakers in states across the nation have responded by considering or passing measures that require their state's public pension funds to eliminate investments of Sudan of government-linked companies. Proposals aimed at Sudan or other countries that support terrorism or engage in genocide are on the table in other states.

Impact on Retirement Systems
State and local public employee retirement systems manage assets to provide retirement income to millions of workers and retirees and those participants rely on the pension plan's trustees and other fiduciaries to invest these assets for the exclusive benefit of the plan members, retirees, and beneficiaries.

NEA members who are pension trustees are mindful of their legal and fiduciary responsibility - the duty of undivided loyalty to plan participants - when making investment decisions. They are concerned about getting the best return on investments for participants.

The following resources provide more information on divestment:

• The National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL)
  A summary of enacted legislation from 2005 and 2006 and bills introduced in the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions. Updated throughout the year.   
  
  
• The National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA)
  This resource guide provides information on actions taken by retirement systems, as well as links to studies, news reports, opinions, articles, and other resources. Updated regularly.
  
  
• Sudan Divestment Task Force Web Site
  Information about the genocide in Darfur and Southern Sudan, as well as options and resources available for funds considering a targeted Sudan divestment policy.