The International Bureau of MIDADE (Mouvement International d’Apostolat de l’Enfance) met in Libreville, Gabon, from 5 to 15 February 2024. MIDADE is an international organization that aims to promote the apostolate of children and young people around the world. The movement encourages children and youth to be actively involved in their communities and take on leadership roles in their churches. The International Bureau is responsible for coordinating MIDADE activities at the global level. The Libreville meeting brought together the members of the International Bureau and the members of the Board of Directors to take stock of the achievements of the children and member movements in the five continents during the year 2023 and plan future projects of the organization.
By videoconference, coordinators from West and Central Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and North America and the Caribbean were able to be heard and share the concerns of children and movements in their area. One of the main topics of discussion was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of MIDADE and its organization. They shared their experiences and challenges in continuing the movement’s activities during this difficult time. Another important topic was the promotion of children’s participation and leadership within MIDADE. Participants stressed the importance of empowering children and youth to take on this role within the organization and in their communities. They also discussed ways to ensure that children’s voices are heard and taken into account in decision-making processes. Also on the agenda were the evaluation of the 2023 action plan and the preparation of the 2025 IR. The meeting was also an opportunity for networking and collaboration between members of the International Bureau and the Board of Directors. Participants shared their best practices and learned from each other’s experiences, strengthening the links within the MIDADE community. This physical meeting of the MIDADE International Bureau was a productive and engaging event that allowed members to come together, share ideas and plan for the future of the organization. It was an important step in the pursuit of MIDADE’s mission to promote the apostolate of children and young people throughout the world.
A big thank you to the Gabon movement for its great welcome that made this meeting possible, productive… and pleasant. You can of course see more pictures and some reports on our Facebook account Midade International (link at the top of the homepage of the site)