Category: Sociocultural

** Goma: Return to school under a sky of fears **

While the doors of Goma schools reopen, a shadow of fear hangs over students and their parents. The rumors of an alleged “forced recruitment” of young people by the rebels of the M23 sowed the trouble, pushing many families to keep their children at home. Despite the denials of the authorities, psychosis settles down, reviving the memories of past conflicts in this already bruised region. The fragility of the education system exacerbates while increasing insecurity, marked by kidnappings, transforms schools into places of concern. In this context, it is crucial to find solutions to this alarming reality. Education must remain a pillar of hope and resilience for the future of young people and the community of Goma, while calling for initiatives that guarantee their safety and their development.

### Congolese meetings of Pan -African thought: an elevator of identities through culture

At the heart of a Democratic Republic of the Congo plunged into a security crisis, the Congolese meetings of Pan -African thinking are set as a symbol of resilience and unity. Under the theme “Standing, people of the Congo!” “, This event was held from February 15 to 20, 2025 to celebrate the power of culture as a resistance tool.

The interventions of figures such as Emmanuel Kabongo Malu and Ngoma Binda highlighted the vital role of culture in the struggle for self -determination. By stressing that “culture is the cement of a people”, Kabongo Malu asks an essential question: how can this cultural wealth galvanize the Congolese in the face of adversity? The discussions also addressed the notion of “cultural resistance”, stressing that the arts, music and stories are powerful means of reaffirming its identity while mobilizing the masses.

In parallel, the collection of funds for Kivu populations embodies a necessary solidarity in a context of crisis. By promoting cultural activism, these meetings could inspire young people to take charge of their future by art and civic commitment, thus strengthening social cohesion. This meeting should not be a simple parenthesis, but rather a springboard for initiatives that could transform the Congolese socio-political scene.

Thus, the rallying cry “standing, people of the Congo!” Resonates as a promise of rebirth, recalling that culture, wealth of identities, can guide the nation towards a quest for peace, justice, and dignity.

** Butembo: Young people on the front line for sustainable peace **

On February 26, 2025, Butembo welcomed a striking workshop on United Nations resolution 2250, mobilizing young people determined to become the actors of peace and security. Organized by the Urban Youth Council and Aid for Help for Peace, this event revealed the unexploited potential of young people in decision -making processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 60 % of the population is under 25 years of age. Unfortunately, many still ignored the existence of this resolution, highlighting an urgent need for civic education to help them fully commit.

By promoting an inclusive approach, participants understood that their role is not limited to expressing ideas, but that they must be considered as essential partners in the implementation of peace solutions. Through concrete examples of other countries, young people have been shown to promote stability and reconciliation. Building on this awareness, the young people of Butembo are now responsible for transforming their commitment into concrete actions, because peace is a vital imperative for the future of their community and the whole Congolese nation.

### Kinshasa: Women’s struggle against domestic violence, an appeal to dignity and justice

In Kinshasa, women fight against domestic violence not only to assert their rights, but above all to find their dignity in the face of an often indifferent system. Despite laws that protect women’s rights, the implementation of these texts remains insufficient, perilously obstructed by corruption and patriarchal socio -cultural standards.

Alarming figures reveal that less than 10 % of victims dare to file a complaint, mainly for fear of reprisals and stigma. The consequences of this violence go beyond physical injuries, deeply affecting the mental health of women, and highlighting the need for an integrated approach that combines awareness, psychological support and economic empowerment.

Testimonies echo an urgent need for change in mentalities and communities. To transform these tragedies into resilience stories, it is essential to get these issues out of the private domain and create a network of solidarity. By mobilizing together, the Congolese can hope for a future where violence is no longer a fatality, but a collective fight for human dignity.

### The health of Pope Francis: reflection on our common vulnerability

The critical but slightly improved state of health of Pope Francis, 88 years old, throws light on the fragility of the human condition. While continuing to fight against recurring health problems, his career recalls that even the most influential figures are not spared by vulnerability. The reaction of the faithful, united in prayer, testifies to the strength of human solidarity in the face of adversity. This moment of crisis highlights the importance of transparent communication within institutions, while pushing us to reflect on our own relationship to fragility. In the end, the Pope’s health invites us to cultivate empathy, hope and compassion in a world that needs it so much.

** Pan -Africanism as a path to peace in the Great Lakes **

In the Great Lakes region, in particular in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), armed conflicts and the sufferings of the populations often seem unknown. Émile Mapatano Kamboris, human rights defender, pleads for a collective start in the face of a situation marked by poverty and the exploitation of resources. For him, it is crucial to go from speeches to concrete actions in order to create a lasting change. Mobilizing young people and promoting regional partnerships can pave the way for development projects that strengthen intercommunity links.

Inspired by the Pan -Africanist ideals, Mapatano evokes the Ujamaa model, promoting a vision of unity and solidarity. Although the path to peace and stability is sown with pitfalls, an approach centered on human dignity and inclusiveness could transform challenges into opportunities. The quest for real peace must feed on the commitment of each citizen, making the struggle for a better future not a utopia, but an aspiration at hand.

** Women’s football: a transformation force in South Sudan **

In a country marked by years of conflict, women’s football emerges as a powerful vector of change. The Bright Starlets, the South Sudan national women’s team symbolize a silent revolution in the field and in society. More than a simple sport, football becomes a means of emancipation for thousands of young girls. Thanks to the creation of a national league and international support, the number of female teams has doubled in four years, bringing with it a wind of freshness and hope.

Players like Amy Lasu and Esther Louis challenge standards and inspire other girls to continue their dreams. Football not only redefines mentalities, but also plays a crucial role in social reconciliation, uniting communities around a common objective. Through initiatives that integrate boys and girls, sport promotes gender equality and social harmony.

While the Bright Starlets are preparing to compete on the continental scene, they carry with them the hope of a better future. Far from being limited to the results on the field, their fight for equality and female emancipation could well redesign the socio -cultural landscape of South Sudan, proving that football is much more than a game: it is a means of Build a bright future.

** Unity at the heart of diversity: Cenco calls for peace in the face of linguistic stigmatization in the DRC **

In a context of growing tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the bishops of the Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO) warn against the “hunting and stigma of Swahiliphones”. This cry of heart resonates as a call for reflection on Congolese identity in the face of an alarming sociolinguistic fracture. By denouncing increasing intolerance, the bishops emphasize the importance of uniting the different linguistic communities around values ​​of respect and harmony. They propose that the Church plays a driving role in promoting social peace via intercommunity education and commitment to inclusive policies. To overcome this crisis, a change in mentalities is imperative, transforming stereotypes into a powerful unit lever. Linguistic diversity should not be a source of division, but a wealth to celebrate to build a common future.

** Incels movement: Understanding a worried phenomenon at the heart of the masculinity crisis **

In a world marked by increasing social fractures, the phenomenon of “incels” (involuntary singles) is revealed as a distorting mirror of male suffering. Formerly a space for sharing for isolated people, the term was diverted by men expressing hatred and frustration in the face of their loneliness, illustrating a disturbing drift towards radicalization. First, this movement highlights the societal challenges linked to toxic masculinity and the social pressure that weighs on men to comply with aggressive standards.

Young men, often vulnerable, represent an important part of the incels, locked in an isolation which is strengthened in the digital age. Far from being a marginal phenomenon, their discourse only reveals a deeper discomfort within male youth. To respond to this problem, a proactive education on gender equality and healthy relationships appears to be an essential necessity. The fight is not only limited to a fight against misogyny, but is a global call to create a more inclusive and respectful company. In this quest, each actor of society has a role to play, because it is together that we can hope to defuse this cycle of hatred and build a more harmonious future.

** Redefine retirement: luxury, care and social commitment **

Today, retirement villages like Evergreen in Muizenberg are transformed into refuges of comfort and well-being, far from the preconceived ideas of austere institutions. Under the influence of “Silver Tsunami”, these residences offer a new model based on “Life Rights”, offering a secure living environment, but also raising complex financial issues.

Modern retirees are looking for much more than a roof; They aspire to an active and committed life, where social interaction and mutual support are essential. Studies even show that these connections can improve life expectancy. Thus, it is crucial to change the stereotypical perception of retirement villages, often associated with loneliness.

With an offer enriched with various activities and cultural partnerships, these communities offer a space where everyone can flourish. By investing in his well-being, we discover a new sense of retirement: a period of joy, social bond and personal growth. Beyond the walls, it is the hearts that unite to live fully every moment of this phase of life.