Invisible Children's Blog

200 Students from 15 African Countries Unite in Uganda
- Posted on 03.11.09
Written by Erica D’Alessandro, Communications Officer in Uganda
(Photo of IC beneficiaries at exhibition and Erica)

Imagine bringing together students from countries all over the continent of Africa…

Then think about those students as representatives of nationalities from all over the globe…

Then put them all together for three days of idea-sharing, student-led workshops and service activities…

And you are bound to have something big.

Five of our beneficiaries of the Visible Child Scholarship Program (VCSP) were given the chance to participate in an extraordinary opportunity at the end of last month. Service Summit Africa 2009, an initiative held by the International School of Uganda, brought together over 200 students from 15 countries in Africa for a multiple-day conference that centered around the idea of youth doing their part in giving back through service to improve the world they live in.

As the conference declared: “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders” and it is in our best interest, as the next generation, to recognize the challenges ahead and lead the way to sustainable contributions to our collective community. Some of the most important goals of the Summit were to “provide an enriching and interactive experience during which students and service leaders discuss the problems and strategies associated with addressing local and global needs” and “establish and build partnerships by acknowledging community and volunteer contributions”. Every activity of the summit revolved around accomplishing these ideals. Topics such as climate change, conservation, HIV/AIDS awareness, poverty eradication and universal education all fell under the umbrella theme of service.

Invisible Children was invited to attend and give a presentation to all the participants on the first day. We decided to show GO to an audience that misses out on the Roadie Tours (which have invaded North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but have yet to reach Africa…maybe someday). Unsure of how students in Africa would respond to a piece of media so geared toward rousing American youths to action, we watched alongside with anticipation. After many laughs and tears, in the end we found they were just as motivated, if not more taken aback, by the events students their own age, on their own soil, were experiencing.

The reaction was huge. On the final day of the Summit, during reflection of the events of the conference, students collectively chose IC’s presentation as one of the most inspirational things they took away. It just shows how students, no matter their race, background, or culture can relate and unite towards a common cause.

The Summit showed our participants just how alike they truly are with youth from all over the continent. Our own beneficiaries, coming from completely different environments and upbringings than most international students, recognized that despite their differences, they are all still faced with the same challenges for the future.

For more information and photos on the activities and outcomes of Service Summit Africa 2009, visit the website here.

Related causes: Human Rights, Youth

Tags: invisible children