Africa Region at the World Conference
14 August 2008
Delegates from almost all the Member Organizations from the Africa Region, with a few exceptions (only 4 countries missing) were present at the 33rd World Conference in South Africa. It was for them an opportunity to discover WAGGGS and take part in decision-making, setting the future direction and policies of the World Association, but also to meet delegates from all over the world and share their experiences. The presence of young women was also noticeable in the delegations.
Welcoming new members
The Africa Region now has 31 member countries. At the Conference new members were welcomed: the Guide Association of the Republic of Congo was admitted as an Associate Member, and the Burundi Girl Guide Association (pictured left), the Chad Girl Guide Association and the Malawi Girl Guide Association became Full Members of WAGGGS. These associations have all made real progress in developing the Movement in their country and in offering their members a better quality Guiding.
To mark the importance of the Guide Association in his country, and show his support, the Minister of Youth and Sport in Burundi had travelled to South Africa to witness the Association coming into membership.
Election to the World Board
Wamuyu Mahinda, Kenya Girl Guide Association, was elected to the World Board and Eugenia Mbekeni, South Africa Girl Guide Association, was elected as substitute member.
Wamuyu is Chief Commissioner in her association and was a member of WAGGGS’ Communication Committee. She is experienced in youth projects and programmes that span over different sectors: private, government, sponsorship, and cover various issues such as HIV/AIDS, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Eugenia is National President in her Association and was Vice-Chairman of the Africa Region. She has considerable experience in cultural diversity, relationship with rural and disadvantaged communities, organisational restructuring, fund raising and networking.
We congratulate both Wamuyu and Eugenia and wish them every success in their work with the World Board.
Regional Gathering
The Regional Gathering during the World Conference gave Committee members and delegations an opportunity to take stock of their achievements since the last regional conference in Zambia, to present the regional Operational Plan for 2009-11 and to see the Region’s action plan for the forthcoming year.
- Welcome new members: the Girl Guide Association of the Republic of Congo was welcomed as Associate Member; the Girl Guide Associations of Burundi, Chad and Malawi were also welcomed.
- Recognize and thank the Friends of the Africa Region and promote their network. Olayinka Olanyan, Nigeria, received an Africa Region plaque in recognition of her promotion and recruitment work for the Friends of Africa Region and pin’s were given to the members present at the Conference. All members of the Friends of Africa Region will receive the pin’s in recognition for their support.-Begin the preparations for the centenary of Guiding/Girl Scouting by gathering ideas for the celebrations to carry out at regional or national level.
-Promote the South South partnership between the Region’s Member Organizations.
-Present the achievements of the Africa Region Youth Network through the Yahoo Group launched at the last regional conference.
Africa Committee
All members of the Africa Region Committee attended the World Conference. In addition to the Committee meetings that were organized, the Conference provided the Committee with the opportunity to meet with the delegates from the Region and to hold discussions with them. The Committee was also able to meet members from the Western Hemisphere Committee.
