The 10th Pan African Assembly of the International Movement of Catholic Students

The 10th Pan African Assembly of the International Movement of Catholic Students -- Good Governance and leadership; our key to development: African Youth up against corruption

From 6th to 14th of October 2010, Students from 23 Countries (including observers from the USA and the Netherlands) converged in Arusha, Tanzania to deliberate on issues affecting Africa, especially on Good Governance/Leadership and Strategies to Fight Corruption from the grassroots.  The Students also had the opportunity to iron out issues in the national media of Tanzania.

Various topics were discussed from the practical and academic point of view and concrete commitments were made as well.

Topics covered included:

*      “Different forms of leadership: The African and Outside world context” 

*      Good governance and its effect on poverty reduction

*      The concept of Corruption (Definitions, explanation and types of corruption)

*      The impact of Corruption on the development process of Africa

*      The rudiments and Strategies to fight corruption; The Role of Students and citizens in anti-corruption campaigns in Africa

*      "The Christian student facing corruption of collective memory in Africa; A theological approach"

A March was organized within the Arusha Municipality on Good Governance and leadership with Country flags and statement from students. The Statement was presented to the Church Authorities on behalf of the youth.  The statement and declaration was also presented to the Minister of East African Community—Dr. D. Kamala during the closing ceremony



The Director of NGO Coordination - Ministry of Community Development was also present at the programme to listen to the views of the youth.

The Newspaper highlights from the National newspapers included “Catholic Students’ Body call on voters to elect capable Leaders”----“IMCS used this occasion to enlighten members of the community on their rights to vote responsibly.—IMCS has urged Tanzanians to elect leaders who are corruption-free and have genuine commitments to improve the country’s socioeconomic development” (The GUARDIAN 9th October 2010—ISSN 0856—5422  ISSUE no. 4952)

The other newspapers reported the following:

Wanazuoni Wakatoliki Afrika Kujadili Utawala bora—Catholic Scholars discuss about African Governance-- (KIONGOZI 8th October 2010-- ISSN 0856-2563 Toleo Na: 27)

Viongozi wa Maendeleo—Leaders of Development-- (NIPASHE 9th October 2010-- ISSN 0856—5414 Na: 056798)

Vijana Wasomi Afrika wa wajadili rushwa -- Young African scholars to discuss corruption--- (Mtanzania 16th October 2010-- ISSN 0856—5678 Toleo  Na: 5266)

At the end of the programme, the representative came up with orientation documents that will govern the dissemination process of the issues about good governance and Corruption free Africa. This forms part of the palpable plan of action for the next phase of the project at the sub-regional levels and country levels. 

On behalf of the Delegates and the students’ milieu, we would like to extend our heart-felt gratitude to all our partners (CJI, CCFD, T!NT and Misereor and other Partners who would like to remain anonymous) who made this possible. This will go a long way to contribute to our efforts of building a formidable youth milieu.

We thank all our partners and beneficiaries for sharing in this Dream -“Our dream is not to wait till things get out of hand before we react; but to be proactive in our course so as to supplement our academics as students.  The future is bright but it depends on a solid formation of the youth today. That is why we invest in capacity building and social capital investment in general” (quote: IMCS Africa).