On July 8, South Sudan celebrated its first year of independence. Although the independence marked the end of over five decades of conflict, the future of its citizens remains bleak. Individuals living in this country are still unable to access even the most basic of necessities including food, security, shelter and education. As Canadians we must not allow ourselves to be distracted by the comforts that we are so fortunate to enjoy.

There are an estimated 12 million displaced people on the planet at this moment and most of them are children. News of this came around the same time as the controversy surrounding Bill C-31, and the way the Harper government wants to crack down on immigration and refugees. But this World Refugee Day, let's be careful and conscious in our assessment of exactly who these people are.

I was in a meeting recently in which an MP accused the government and Stephen Harper of being "evil" and "the enemy." I have heard the Prime Minister use that language himself on more than one occasion. The hurling of insults across the aisle of Parliament has now become a pandemic -- no respect, no dignity, no results.

George Clooney reminds the world that the Sudan's Omar al-Bashir is a leopard who spots remain unchanged, a pariah who lives off the devastation of others. He makes Joseph Kony appear like a toy soldier. In this the actor has performed his role with a sense of urgency and acuity.

After decades of war, the transition to peace in the world's newest country was expected to be rocky. But in some areas, it's been downright apocalyptic.

Western intervention and generosity are necessary and life-saving, but unless new practices that promote new methods of conservation can be ushered in, we'll be hearing of regional famines for years to come.

The real success of the United Nations can never be measured by what it's done or failed to do. I hearken back to former Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold's observation: "The UN was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell."

Sudan is either a phoenix rising or Icarus crashing for flying too high. I was there when the peace accord was negotiated and I recall the pessimism in Western officials. But they underestimated the resolve of Sudan's people. Hold the line on hope and a successful outcome.

As someone who visits Sudan frequently, here's some advice for Sarah Palin as she plans her visit. Don't be another one of those politicians who did what was trendy and then never returned. Promise the people of Sudan that you're with them, come what may.