Zimbabwe to host JCI conference
ZIMBABWE will host the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Africa-Middle East
conference in May in the resort city of Victoria Falls with more than 500 delegates drawn
from different countries in Africa and the Middle East expected to attend.
The conference which will be held in the country for the first time, is expected to
capacitate youth to be able to take up leadership roles at workplaces and in their
communities.
JCI is a global membership-driven organisation for young people whose membership is
drawn from youths between the ages of 18 and 40 years.
Visiting JCI Africa-Middle East delegation pose for a picture at the Victoria Falls International
Airport The organisation is in about 5 000 communities in 115 countries worldwide with over 200
000 active members and over two million alumni comprising mostly former members
that are more than 40 years old.
The organisation encourages young people to become active citizens and to participate in
efforts towards social and economic development, international cooperation, goodwill
and understanding.
It also provides leadership training and development programmes that empower young
people to initiate positive change in their communities. JCI also recognises the achievements of young people through its awards programmes.
The organisation is divided into Africa-Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific and America
regions. JCI Zimbabwe, an affiliate of JCI International, which is headquartered in the
United States, will be hosting the Africa-Middle East conference from 17-20 May on
behalf of the country after successfully bidding to host the event with the help of
Government.
JCI Africa-Middle East vice president Mr Achille Sonehekpon
Executive vice president of JCI Africa-Middle East Mr Achille Sonehekpon is in Victoria
Falls to inspect the hotel and conference facilities where the event would be held
including assessing the country’s readiness to host the meeting.
He is being accompanied by the director of Africa-Middle East Mr Olatunyi Oyeyemi and
advisor of JCI Africa-Middle East Mr Olajide Adeyemi. JC Zimbabwe national president Mr
Samuel Takudzwa Nehumba said the organisation takes youths through a leadership
journey and allow them to discover their true potential through activities, training and
events.
“Members are empowered to be active and be able to hold events like area conferences
and world congress. Each region holds its own area conference and our last conference
for Africa and the Middle East was in Tunisia last year,” he said.
Mr Nehumba said JC Zimbabwe’s bid to host the Area Conference for Africa and the
Middle East was supported by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
The conference will be held under the theme: “Leadership, Resilience and Sustainability”
and seeks to capacitate youths to be resilient and drive sustainable economies especially
in times of shocks like during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Nehumba said the conference was open even to non-members and is therefore
expected to bring a lot of benefits not only to tourism but also to youths who will be
empowered.
More than 500 young people from Africa and the Middle East are expected to attend the
conference. – The Chronicle
