The Beninese capital was the scene of a significant event on Saturday, 19 October 2024, with the official closing of the training of international chaplains, justices of the peace and therapeutic anti-drug counselors, organized by the international NGO Conacce Chaplains Afrique. This training, which brought together participants from four African countries, Benign, Cameroon, Niger and Togo are part of an approach aimed at strengthening peace, development and cooperation through high-quality humanitarian support.
Accredited by the UN, la Conac Chaplains, has given itself the mission of training chaplains with varied profiles such as justices of the peace, drug therapy counselors, international mediators, election experts, human rights defenders and diplomatic agents. The ultimate objective is to promote human values, peace and equity. The closing ceremony was marked by the presence of eminent personalities, including Pastor Dieunedort KAMDEM, General of Chaplaincy and Commander of CONACCE Chaplains Africa. In his opening speech, he underlined the nobility of the mission assigned to the new graduates. “It is our duty to feel the pain of those around us and to serve humanity, because we are all equal before this mission of peace”, he asserted. Pastor Kamdem also recalled that the mission of chaplains is not limited to pastors or religious leaders., but concerns all people concerned about the well-being of society. He expressed his gratitude to General Carlos Aroba Gaybor, Global Commander of CONACCE Chaplains, and his wife, for their dedication and vision, who allowed this training to see the light of day.
Training focused on service and social justice
Training, which lasted two weeks (of 7 at 19 October), covered theoretical and practical aspects, preparing aspirants to become essential actors in the fight against drugs and the promotion of social justice. New graduates are now ready to enter the field to respond to the many social challenges facing their communities. “Where there is a need, there must be a chaplain”, hammered General Kamdem, by calling on new graduates to continue their commitment with dedication and sacrifice. The responsibilities that await them, according to him, require total self-sacrifice to help the most vulnerable populations. This moment of celebration was not only the culmination of training, but the beginning of a new era for the chaplains of Benin and West Africa. Through this initiative, Conacce Chaplains reaffirms its commitment to promoting a fairer world, where humanity, peace and cooperation are central values. The challenges ahead are great, but new graduates say they are ready to take on them with courage and determination, serving their communities.
Patrice ADJAHO