KENYA: Religious Sisters from 10 African Countries to Gather for a Sustainable Development Conference

More than 160 religious Sisters from 10 African countries are expected to gather for a two-day conference organized by Conrad Hilton Foundation at Sarova Panafrica, Nairobi Kenya, on Monday 17 October, this Year.

Speaking to AMECEA Online News this week in Nairobi, Sr. Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, Program Director, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation said that, the conference which goes by the theme: The Secret to Sustainable Development in Africa, expects other stakeholders and international partners for development from around the world in order to discuss some development issues.

According to Sr. Rosemarie, the conference which will begin by the Eucharist celebration on the opening day, will also be graced by the presence of Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Charles Daniel Balvo and the first Lady of Kenya Her excellency Margaret Kenyatta.

She said that a number of partners have already confirmed their participation to the conference. “Our aim is to deliberate together with other partners on how we can work together for the development of Africa,” she said adding that “other financial institutions and private sectors like Non-government organizations have also been invited.”

During the conference, the Sisters participating will have a chance to share their opportunities and obstacles and probably strategize together on the way forward.

Sr. Rosemarie said that the President and the Vice President of the Foundation will attend the conference. “Participating Sisters will also have an opportunity to display different items from the fruits of their own hands……

The first day of the conference is expected to cover: The place of Catholic sisters in the Global Partnership for Human Development under which the five facilitators will discuss; ASEC and The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: An Appreciation and the Road Ahead, The Emergence of the Global Sisterhood, The Role of Religious in Social Change, What Sustainable Development is and the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals to Indicators: Evaluating and Visualizing Impact.

Day two which will be the 18^th of October will focus on, The place of other actors in the Global partnership for Human Development.

Sr. Rosemarie together with Peter Laugharm, president and CEO, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation will be the main facilitators for Day Two and are expected to discuss; A Theory of the Foundation and of African Development, How to think like  a Donor, Collaborative Exercise: “Think Big, Act Big, Dream Big” and What remains Unsaid / A Call to Action.

By Sr. Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS,

AMECEA Online News