A HOPE-FILLED FUTURE FOR ALL CHILDREN AJUMUN CONFERENCE

TheArrupe Jesuit University Model United Nations (AJUMUN), organized a conference to commemorate this year’s World Children’s Day. The theme of the conference was: HOPE FILLED FUTURE FOR ALL CHILDREN. The conference aimed at creating awareness on the plight of children. The conference took place on Monday, 21st November 2022 from 2.00pm on our university’s campus.

The following guests attended the conference;

1. The Vice Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University-Rev. Dr.Afulo Joseph.
2. Representative from United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), namely;
   a. The country representative of UNFPA, Dr Esther Muia.
   b. Assistant country representative of UNFPA-Ms. Abbigail Msemburi.
   c. Program specialist of UNFPA, Mr Blessing Nyagumbo.
3. A representative from the embassy of South Korea to Zimbabwe.
4. The Ambassador of the State of Palestine, His excellency Ambassador Tamer Almassri.
5. The director of Safety n Us Organization for the welfare of children-Mrs Mutsedu Lucia.
6. A representative from Save the Child Zimbabwe.
7. The director of Zimbabwe National Council for the welfare of Children-Mr. Taylor
   Nyanhete.
8. The assistant commissioner of the Zimbabwe Police Unit for the welfare of children.
9. The apostolic Nuncio of Rome to Zimbabwe-Archbishop Paolo Rudelli
10. Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop conference child protection office representative.

One cannot talk of creation of hope filled future without involving school children. To this end, several schools were invited. We were graced with the attendance of the following;

1. St. George’s College.
2. St. Ignatius College.
3. Dominican Convent High School.
4. St. Johns High School Emerald Hill.
5. Emerald Hill School for the deaf.
6. St. Peters School Kubatana.
7. TichaKunda School.

With our house full, AJU’s child protection officer, Sr. Dr. Mandeya, opened the conference with a word of prayer. This was followed by welcoming address by the vice chancellor, Dr. Joseph Afulo SJ. This was followed by an address by the special guest of honour, His Excellency, Paulo Ruderi, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe. He reiterated the position of the Church especially Pope Francis’s initiatives towards the welfare of children, he quoted Pope Frances’ “a child is the greatest gift for everyone and comes before all else.”

Dr. Esther Muia gave a keynote speech encouraging all children to treasure their childhood and focus on what is at stake, she said that, “childhood is the best time to learn new things, set goals and start working for them, focus on your aims”. She also gave a brief history of her life and her involvement with the welfare of children at UNFPA. The ambassador and the ambassador representative gave their short remarks and other organizations also gave brief summaries of what they do in their respective missions.

The students too were not left out. They were given the platform to showcase their talents through the spoken word, short speeches, dances and poems.

The conference also featured the launching of an artwork entitled, “Half the Globe.” The artwork was later auctioned and the highest bidder, Dr. Afulo claimed it. He then donated the art work to Dominican Convent High School.

The seminar ended at 1630hrs and was brought to a close by a word of prayer from Mr. Reuben Chifundo SJ.

By Wesonga Edwin
AJUMUN Secretary.