The first Summer School of the 2nd cycle of the “Together for a New Africa” project took place from 11th – 15th September 2023. The theme for the 5 days of leadership training was Becoming a Changemaker.
There were 140 participants and tutors from 14 African countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, RDC, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.
The took part in the online sessions while gathering together in presence in their respective countries. This was to allow participants to bond locally, learn more about their communities together and plan how to actively contribute to the development and change they wish to see.
The T4NA training course addressed the continent’s burning issues as identified by the questionnaire launched by T4NA at the beginning of the year. The second aspect was on the collaboration of Africa and Europe in today’s world.
The second T4NA course offered participants an opportunity to interact with young Europeans. The challenges of today’s world push us to think globally while acting locally. This is a collaboration favoured by the AFRESH project (Africa and Europe Same Horizon), a project co-founded by the European Commission and implemented by 5 partner associations from Europe and 5 partner associations from Africa. Through it, young people (Europeans and Africans) have the opportunity to interact and socialize. Furthermore, this also provides an opportunity for both parties to overcome prejudices and make informed decisions on their development and the general development of humanity.
Another day was devoted to a root cause analysis of social and institutional problems. Every problem has its own origin. However if we dig more, we can find that the roots are the same. By doing so, we are able to face them wisely and efficiently. The solution to these problems demands a collective responsibility and should not be abandoned in the hands of a few.
Prof. Justus Mbae, former vice chancellor of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, is one of the TFNA tutors. He shared his conviction that African values need to be integrated into educational institutions. All educational stakeholders have a responsibility of being authentic to the values we share with our children. He said, “A healthy community starts from the home”.
“Great leaders in Africa and the world.”
The fourth day of training reminded us that leadership is a service. However, our duty as responsible citizens is to serve everyone, all communities for the common good. Keeping this in mind should help clarify our leadership vision!
Once the vision is clear, insist on collaborating with others with mutual respect. We must first fix our eyes on the common good and then on unity like our role models Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere in their day. In order to this we need to develop skills that encourage dialogue so that work cannot be separated from freedom: freedom requires responsibility.
Solving problems are not principles you pass on to others. These are tactics we have put in place to ensure a positive outcome.
A dream lived together is a shared success!
The coordination team of T4NA would like to take time and say” THANK YOU” you to each and every participant and tutor of the second edition of T4NA. You made this moment possible!
It was a compelling experience to see you on the screen but feel closely your presence and commitment.
We officially started this journey and there is no doubt, together with you, we are going to grow in wisdom and enrich our horizons!
