20th Anniversary of Harambee: Social Innovators for a World in Crisis

Harambee launches a symposium on experimental designs to tackle current global crises. The symposium convokes individuals from different fields and marks the beginning of concrete initiatives around the centenary of Opus Dei, founded by St. Josemaría Escrivá, whose teachings and message inspired Harambee.

Harambee Africa International celebrates twenty years of commitment to international solidarity by convoking authorities on the search for and implementation of innovative solutions to ongoing global social problems.

The pandemic, conflicts around the world, and the climate emergency have all had their effects – but the third sector has always been a significant force in the solution of key social issues. As uncertainty about the future increases, it becomes even more essential to promote unity and solidarity in order to formulate collaborative, sustainable solutions.

Harambee wishes, therefore, to offer a space for reflection and observation in order to explore innovative strategies and actions from various organizations (whether public or private, local, national or international, faith-based or civic), in a spirit of collaboration toward shared goals.

The symposium will be held in Rome 28-30 September 2022, and will consist of several sessions (download the program here).

The first day (the theme of which is “listen and learn”) will be dedicated to dialogue between people of different beliefs and responsibilities. There will be two panel discussions. In the first, various social challenges and the projects meant to respond to them will be analyzed. In the second, professionals will share their experiences in a variety of fields and places. 

The Prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, will open the second day. Afterwards, in a series of workshops and discussions, people carrying out social initiatives inspired by St. Josemaría around the world will speak. This day will take place against the backdrop of the centenary of the foundation of Opus Dei; you can read more about it in this article.

The final day (themed “appreciate and celebrate”) will centre on social innovation and youth in Africa. It is an opportunity to meet, recall Harambee’s origins, and rethink its mission and objectives, looking to the future with the eyes and heart of a continent full of young people. 

During the third day of this symposium, some ideas and projects from young African entrepreneurs will be celebrated and awarded. Reports and documentaries will be shown, offering an accurate image of lands rich in humanity. 

Finally, it will also be an opportunity to thank all those who have contributed their grains of sand in an atmosphere of hope over the past 20 years.