Amandla Awethu!
Today the South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Geof Doige started off the 1st full day of the summit by talking to the delegates. High Commissioner Doige encouraged the delegates through a common African saying ‘Amandla Awethu” which meant power to the people. As these young activists look for inspiration and support at the GU summit this statement could not have been more timely. As High Commissioner Doige spoke of the struggle to end apartheid and the ANC’s work in South Africa some important truths were evident. He encouraged the audience not to lose sight of the objectives of the movement or the journey, he asserted that as activists one must always be looking at what model of democracy best fits one’s country and the importance of fully embracing who we are as a people and a nation.
Today the South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Geof Doige started off the 1st full day of the summit by talking to the delegates. High Commissioner Doige encouraged the delegates through a common African saying ‘Amandla Awethu” which meant power to the people. As these young activists look for inspiration and support at the GU summit this statement could not have been more timely. As High Commissioner Doige spoke of the struggle to end apartheid and the ANC’s work in South Africa some important truths were evident. He encouraged the audience not to lose sight of the objectives of the movement or the journey, he asserted that as activists one must always be looking at what model of democracy best fits one’s country and the importance of fully embracing who we are as a people and a nation.
Following
this the Executive Committee held the first of the EC series. Kanji from Kenya, Rab Nawaz from Pakistan and
Prashan De Visser from Sri Lanka spoke about connecting with the place,
connecting with the team and connecting with the people respectively. Kanji made an interesting statement about how
we need to stop having a tenant mentality and fully take ownership of and love
where we live. Prashan talked of the
importance of letting go of elitism and finding the masses and finally Rab pointed out four ways of building a good team- horizontal respect, synergy,
diversity and vision.
In the evening the delegates broke out in to sessions with countries that were facing similar conflicts and discussed the challenges of the conflicts their nations were facing. These
breakout sessions were crucial in engaging with each other and learning from
one another. The delegates heard stories of resilience, of pain and of hope and
were further encouraged knowing that their struggles were not isolated.
It sound like the South High Commissioner to Sr. Lanka was the perfect opening speaker. Having been to Robbins Island in South Africa where Nelson Mandella was imprisoned, the power to the people, "Amandla Awethu," really resonated with me, as well as with the participants in the conference. The first day appears to have been dynamic and powerful - energizing for those in attendance. Congratulations to all! Judy s.
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