Kusafiri World Centre Africa

What is Kusafiri World Centre?

Kusafiri World Centre is using existing facilities to bring World Centre experiences to Africa. The ‘centre’ has no fixed site, but changes location for every event, creating international experiences for girls and young women in different countries in Africa.

KUSAFIRI 

How did the idea for Kusafiri World Centre come about?

Kusafiri World Centre is the product of years of discussion to bring a World Centre experience to Africa. In 2010, at the Africa Regional Conference, it was unanimously agreed that the Africa Committee would explore opportunities to deliver World Centre experiences in Africa.

In July 2011, during the 34th World Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, a motion was passed to create an experimental two-year pilot project that could potentially lead to the creation of a ‘Fifth’ World Centre in the Africa Region.

The project was evaluated, with results and recommendations presented at the 35th World Conference in Hong Kong in 2014. The conference voted unanimously for the following:

The Fifth World Centre Pilot study has demonstrated the value of establishing a presence in Africa to host world centre international experiences in line with WAGGGS Vision 2020.

Noting the investment that has been made in developing the Fifth World Centre concept and the results within the last triennium and in order to enable WAGGGS to reach more girls and young women, and offer an experience based on the unique and special offerings of this continent it is recommended:

  • That funds be raised externally in order that development work may continue in 2015 to 2017, with a view to having a financially sustainable model in place, which supports WAGGGS’ strategic aims and objectives in relation to WAGGGS’ international experiences, before the start of 2018.
  • That responsibility for on-going evaluation and decision making on emerging options be delegated to the World Board, in consultation with the Africa Region Committee and World Centres Committee.
  • That a further progress report be presented to the 36th World Conference in 2017.
  • That for 2015 to 2017 the World Board, in consultation with Africa Region Committee, consider the possibility of one-off international activities or events in Africa which continue to invest in Member Organization capacity development and capital improvements in MO training centres, subject to funding, resources and partners being identified.

In October 2015, the ‘Fifth’ World Centre was given its new name, Kusafiri World Centre. Kusafiri means ‘to journey’ in Swahili.

Which Member Organisations have been involved so far?

  • Ghana
  • South Africa
  • Rwanda
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Benin
  • Madagascar

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