IYNIGO, the engine of youthful vitality of the Arrupe Jesuit Institute (AJI), participated in the 2019 edition of the Youth Connekt Africa (YCA) Summit 2019 and LEAD Magis Africa Conference in Kigali-Rwanda from October 7-16, 2019. The IYNIGO contingent comprised four members led by the AJI Executive Director, Fr Kpanie Addy, S.J. The YCA summit, organized by the Rwandan youth ministry, took place from October 9-11, 2019. It was well attended by delegates from all over Africa. Among the dignitaries present were H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, Jeanette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda, former Ivorian national football team captain and Chelsea FC legend Didier Drogba and representatives of multinational organizations and civil society organizations across Africa. The delegates were also addressed by young individuals impacting lives and making a change in their respective countries. Delegates were inspired and motivated to touch lives in their own small way.
The LEAD+Magis Teacher of Trainees programme followed immediately afterwards at Centre Christus, Remera, Kigali from October 12-14,, 2019. Organized by the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA), it brought together about 130 young leaders from across Africa. Participants were equipped with skills aimed at enhancing their personal development as leaders to help change the narrative of the African continent.
