The UN Headquarters in New York City
The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) in collaboration with the African Union Centre for Girls and Women’s Education (AU CIEFFA) will be recognizing community organizations, religious sisters, and local initiatives who are driving change to achieve the three pillars of sustainable development goals in Africa.
The hidden champions will be recognized in New York in a side event organized by JENA and AU CIEFFA during the United Nations General Assembly’s Summit of the Future, on September 20, 2024,
Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J Director of JENA has said the side event will amplify the voices of the unsung heroes by showcasing their successful models that have integrated health, education, and gender equality in the African context
According to the Chilufya, the champions are vital in closing gaps where state and international support may fall short.
“At JENA, we believe that transformative change must come from within communities, led by those who understand their unique challenges and strengths,” said Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J Director of JENA.
The New York summit for the future is titled “Intergenerational Leadership for the Acceleration of SDGs 3, 4, and 5,” with the side event which has been organized by JENA in partnership with Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, bringing together leaders from different sectors and generations, to spotlight the urgency of advancing health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5) across Africa.
The side event has been given impetus by damning reports that has put over 97 million children, youth, and adolescents to be out of school, according to UNESCO, 60% of women still under labor in agriculture but only own 15% of the land, and the ravaging effects of Covid-19 to the African population.
The upcoming side event that will take place from 2pm to 4pm and will align with the recommendations of the Pan African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education (PANCOGED) and the Africa Event on Transforming Education, held on the sidelines of the UN Transforming Education Summit in 2023.