For societies to achieve their full potential, there’s the necessity to strengthen the household unit, and this could solely be achieved by means of sturdy marriages between women and men.
This was the unanimous declaration of all audio system and attendees on the simply ended two-day Strengthening Households Convention 2024, organized by the Africa West Space of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which got here off in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire.
The 2024 version, themed ‘Strengthening Marriages’, introduced collectively audio system from various non secular backgrounds and international locations throughout Africa and past. The gathering in Abidjan noticed the biggest viewers within the annual convention’s historical past, with over 5,000 attendees, most of whom had been members of the Church from all corners of Côte d’Ivoire.
Church leaders, Islamic students, and different non secular figures, together with politicians and numerous stakeholders, agreed that with out sturdy marriages between women and men, society as we all know it might collapse, undermining God’s everlasting plan for the earth.
In response to the organizers, the principle purpose of the Strengthening Households Convention is to advertise measures designed to take care of and strengthen the household as the basic unit of society.
Elder Alfred Kyungu, Second Counselor, Africa West Space Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his handle mentioned: “marriage is the foundational relationship for all of society. All different relationships in society stem from the father-mother relationship, and these different relationships thrive most if that father-mother relationship can also be a powerful husband-and-wife relationship. Good marriages are the bedrock of sturdy societies, for they’re the foundations of sturdy households. Inside a household constructed on sturdy marriages, a baby is more likely to worth their relationship with God, faith, and their communities.”
He emphasised {that a} marriage based on love and respect requires effort from each spouses.
“The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that marriage is a partnership of equals and that companions needs to be considerate, respectful, and dependable to at least one one other. The church teaches that if {couples} preserve their lives centered on Jesus Christ, their love will develop.
I feel it’s additionally necessary to do not forget that there is no such thing as a good marriage. That’s as a result of there aren’t any good folks. We’re all distinctive…and to suppose that there is not going to be disagreements and pressure in a wedding could be neglecting the individuality of each companions. However regardless that there could also be disagreements, it’s necessary to agree on these items…conform to by no means hand over, conform to by no means cease attempting, conform to always remember God and the therapeutic energy and charm he gives to those that love him and depend on him,” he added.
Elder Kyungu believes that Africa – dwelling to the world’s largest youth inhabitants with about 60 % of its folks below 25 years previous – can obtain a greater future by means of offering younger folks with the fitting instruments, training, sources, and encouragement.
“The best present that we may give them is a steady and loving household. Sturdy households are the important thing to a flourishing society. Secure households result in higher outcomes for folks, kids, and communities. And for our political leaders in attendance, insurance policies that assist marriage, parenthood, and household life will make it potential for all Africans to reap the advantages of a technology of youth motivated to make their communities and international locations flourish.”
Madame Nasseneba Touré Diané, the Minister of Household, Ladies and Youngsters for Côte D’Ivoire, in her handle additionally harassed on the significance and position of the normal household in sustaining society. “No doubt, we want sustainable relationships for society to proceed and that’s our core focus on the Ministry. We be certain that the normal household thrives for society to proceed.”
She expressed the federal government’s appreciation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for internet hosting the 2024 Strengthening Households Convention in Abidjan and guaranteed them of the perpetual, heat hospitality of the federal government and folks of Côte d’Ivoire.
“This convention is so essential to the way forward for households and society and we’re very glad that we’re the host of this yr’s version. The messages heard right here, particularly on the theme ‘Strengthening Marriages’ shall resonate with one and all for years to return. Marriages are below quite a lot of stress within the twenty first century and I’m of the agency perception that every one which have been mentioned right here shall go a great distance to assist construct higher marriages for stronger households to thrive,” she added.
The 2-day convention boasted a various lineup of audio system and panelists, hailing from international locations comparable to Gambia, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Mali, america of America, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, and others.
Day One
On the primary day, remarks and speeches had been delivered by Dr. Emmou Sylvestre, Mayor of Port Bouet; Elder Martin D. Goury, Church of Jesus Christ, Basic Authority 70; Dr. Spencer L. James, Professor of Household Life at Brigham Younger College; Maïmouma Sene, Buyer Expertise Director – Panelys, Côte D’Ivoire.
A panel that mentioned household funds and growing mutual respect in marriage for an hour and a half had Salim Vayani, Secretary Basic, Nationwide Muslim Leaders Discussion board (NAMLEF), Kenya; Gomez Rabe Kipre, professional in household funds, Côte D’Ivoire; Karibi T. George, Chairman of Males’s Missionary Union, Rivers Baptist Convention of the Nigerian Baptist Conference; Her Worship Madam Rohey Malick Lowe, Main within the metropolis of Banjul, The Gambia; Sheikh Waly Seck, President of the Council of Basis to Assist Initiatives for the Promotion of Islam (FAIPI), Senegal; and Elder Tonga Jean Claude Sai, Space Authority 70, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After the panel dialogue, Elder Afred Kyungu offered the Household Worth Awards to awardees who had been chosen based mostly on alignment with SFC aims and neighborhood impression.
The day ended with goodwill messages from Dr. Ibrahim Salieu, Performing Dean of the College of Training within the Milton Margai Technical College of Goderich, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Dean, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Employees Faculty (GAFCFC); Elise Kossoko, Deputy Basic Secretary of the Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, Benin.
Day Two
On the second day, speeches had been delivered Chief Bawa, Chief of Port-Bouet, Côte D’Ivoire; Monseigneur Yao Kouadio, President of the Episcopal Convention of Catholic Bishops, Côte D’Ivoire; Aka-Anghui Francine, Affiliation des Femmes Juriste; and most significantly His Eminence Aseid Cherif Ousmane Madani Haidara, President of the Excessive Islamic Council of Mali.
A panel dialogue on discovering steadiness in marriage and the household and know-how had Marcelle Guei, Engineer – Société Ivorienne du Raffinage, Côte D’Ivoire; Imam Cisse Djiguiba, Basic Director, Radio-Al-Bayane, Côte D’Ivoire; Dr. Mrs. Imuwahen Anthonia Mbarie, Director of Well being Providers, College of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria; Fiifi Buckman Philip, Household Lawyer, Ghana; Eugenia Abu, Broadcast Journalist and Compere, Nigeria; and Patricia Adopo, Space Organisational Advisor, Côte D’Ivoire.
Goodwill messages had been delivered by Dr. Joseph Koffi Nutefé Tsigbe, Director of Info, Exterior Relations, Providers Division on the College of Lomé, Togo; Rt. Rev George Neequaye Kotei, Anglican Bishop of Tema Diocese, Ghana; and Très bien Révérend Jeremiah Ngumo, Moderator, Africa Christian Church buildings and Faculties (ACC&S), Kenya.
On the finish of the day, there was a presentation of the convention communiqué by the group after which a transition and handover to the subsequent host of the annual convention which is Sierra Leone in June 2025. Eddie Mansaray, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Côte D’Ivoire and Sheik Salim Feika, Chief of Employees, Workplace of the First Woman of Sierra Leone had been readily available to obtain the baton and ship closing remarks.
Different actions, companions
It was not all discuss and speeches. The convention had its fair proportion of leisure within the type of comedy, music, drama and dance. Performers had been KS Bloom, Morijah, Gballo Jonas, Agalawal, Josey, Sotheca, Doris and Urslar.
There was a serious exhibition that had greater than 40 company organizations, non secular establishments, instructional establishments and numerous sections and departments of the Church exhibiting. They embody Household Providers, Humanitarian Providers, Household Search, Gathering Place, Self-Reliance, Seminary and Institute/Pathways, Missionary Division, Basis Bloom, Household Watch Worldwide, ONG 1 Household, Shelem Building Providers, Jershon Building, Nauvooland Applied sciences Et Functions, NSIA Insurance coverage, and Grace Divine Training.
The remaining are: Fondation Nouvelle Famille, WIT Emploi, Institut Worldwide Polytechnique Des Elites d’Abidjan (IIPEA), Université Worldwide d’Abidjan, Rifeval&Scoops Socopad, Edufin Membership Worldwide, Elevate Côte D’Ivoire, Ministère de la Famile, Femme et de l’Enfant, KLA Building, Affiliation des Femmes Juristes de Côte D’Ivoire, AGROCI, COCOFCI, HATENE, Fédération des Jeunes Entrepreneurs de Côte D’Ivoire, Mousse Fort, Auto 24, MTN, Nostalgie et NCI, TIPS, Radio Abayane, Lena, Basis DAMSARR, PUSH Côte D’Ivoire, OBLACK, Le Madona Journey, SIBM, and 100% Naturel.
Outlook and going ahead
The Strengthening Households Convention goals to ascertain a steady, collaborative, and impactful surroundings the place actionable instruments for actual change are actively sought and built-in in any respect ranges. It isn’t merely a platform for philosophical or social remark however fairly a discussion board for centered motion and tangible enhancements.
As accomplice organisations, and each particular person inside them, the is an invite for a brave dedication in the direction of measurable and sustainable efforts to strengthen household buildings inside Côte D’Ivoire and all through West Africa. The convention intends to teach all ranges of society, highlighting the Household as the best catalyst for optimistic features in social points.
About Strengthening Households Convention
Households play an necessary position in creating and sustaining peaceable and inclusive societies indispensable for sustainable and inclusive improvement. Analysis reveals that kids rising up in steady and supportive households develop optimistic cognitive, emotional, and social characters thus changing into steady and peaceable adults.
There are a number of necessary points of steady household environments making certain kids’s well-being and early socialization, comparable to safe attachment and the method of the transmission and acquisition of values. Analysis demonstrates that kids who developed safe attachment relationships of their households are extra self-reliant and empathetic adults.
There’s subsequently the necessity for stakeholders to reaffirm the essential significance of the household as a constructing block of the Society, and implement initiatives geared toward elevating consciousness of issues confronting households at this time.
The motivation of organizing the Strengthening Households Convention is to “promote these measures designed to take care of and strengthen the household as the basic unit of society”. The household is the core unit of society. As we strengthen the inspiration, we will see the construction of the neighborhood develop unity with stronger morals and values.
The household is integral for progress and improvement at each stage of society. As households are strengthened, the neighborhood is strengthened, and because the neighborhood is strengthened, the nations are strengthened. As we create an ongoing, cooperative, catalytic surroundings, we are going to see modifications evolve that enhance relationships inside households and people that can strengthen our properties and our neighborhoods. Working collectively, we will construct a powerful neighborhood that may serve these round us and assist one another.
Defending and strengthening our youth and households is one of the simplest ways we will construct a society that’s peaceable. Profitable marriages and households are established and maintained on ideas of religion, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and healthful leisure actions. These are all constructing blocks to strengthen us and bond us collectively.
Conventional households are necessary for all of us, however we should do not forget that we’re all brothers and sisters. You’re my brother/sister and I’m your brother/sister. As soon as we perceive this elementary precept, we will see and really feel the significance of supporting and sustaining one another. As households we’re stronger than people, we’ve got a assist system that bonds us collectively, and the stronger the bond the extra we will stand up to throughout tough occasions. The household is the glue that can maintain society collectively.
Our prolonged households additionally embody those that have handed on earlier than us. We have to take the values and classes they taught us to protect the legacy of the longer term. We discover ways to progress and set up love inside our properties that defend our youngsters for the longer term.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Strengthening Households Convention (SFC).