In mid-September, participants and delegates experienced a full programme at the Kolping Conference Centre Langata in Nairobi, Kenya. A workshop for English-speaking new volunteer boards of African Kolping Associations brought together more than 20 Kolping brothers and sisters from nine countries. A report by Dr. Markus Demele, General Secretary KOLPING INTERNATIONAL:
“For three days we worked on the history of the international association: the foundations and the self-image of Kolping, as it has been formulated in the documents of recent years. However, the focus was also on the individual tasks and roles as chairperson, board member or Praeses. How each member of an equal board team can contribute their charisma was the subject of group work. The role of the membership meetings and other bodies was also an important topic. It quickly became clear: synodality has long been a lived practice at Kolping: praying together, entering into respectful dialogue and then deciding together. This is where the Holy Spirit is at work.
Three days later, when the delegates of the French-speaking African associations joined, the meeting of the African Kolping associations began under the direction of Dancille Mujawamariya, the Rwandan member of the International Executive Board responsible for Africa. The project work was jointly deepened and experts lectured on local fundraising, intensifying gender equality measures and strengthening advocacy work.
It was an intensive and exhausting week for all those who thought about the future of Kolping in Africa and the joint work. But it was also a lot of fun, as the lively and hopeful mood made us feel it again and again.’
