In Bujumbura, the heart of Africa, in the land of a thousand and one hills and of the Sacred Drum, neighbour of Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi will welcome, from 22 to 27 July 2009, ex-students of the Jesuits from all over the world. The situation in Africa, host of the Congress following Asia, is characterised by political turbulence, the depression of hunger and the AIDS pandemic. But every hope is permitted with the up and coming youth educated by the Society of Jesus for an Africa accountable for its own economic and social development assuming responsibility in accordance with the aspiration of excellence envisaged by Ignatian education. The recent 35th General Congregation of the Society has particularly taken the option to prioritise Africa and the Congress christened «Hope» will bring together people of great ability around the new Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolàs, to create and maintain new fellowship across the world.

For a better Africa: What have we done? What are we doing? What must we do?

The ex-students of the Jesuits will question themselves about the welcome of Africa, partner of the other continents, at this time of globalisation and world wide village. We will go beyond words and mere talk under the traditional baobab, for a better justice for all. We will break things down thanks to written word, telecommunications and fibre-optics.
Come then to Bujumbura, following in the footsteps of Stanley and Livingstone, to discover the most southern source of the River of the Pharaohs and to taste fresh sangala, mukeke and ndagala, veritable delights particular to Lake Tanganyika. The Congress of «Hope» in Bujumbura following that of «Joy» in Calcutta, will bring a different flavour, for the two are of the same origin, the Alma Mater and the Society of Jesus. Above all, don’t miss out.