Nairobi, 31 August, 2025 / 10:23 PM
The BeDoCare, a conference started in Rome in September 2022 to move “beyond aid and paternalism" is set to be held in Africa for the first time in October at a three-day event that the Kenya-based Strathmore University of Opus Dei is to host.
Born with the 28-30 September 2022 meeting in Rome in preparation for the 100th anniversary of Opus Dei and the 20th anniversary of Harambee Africa International (HAI), a Catholic development initiative promoted on the occasion of the canonization of Opus Dei founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, BeDoCare has so far been staged in São Paulo and will have a third stage in Nairobi from October 1-3.
HAI Communications Officer Rossella Miranda told ACI Africa that the event will gather entrepreneurs, researchers, cultural leaders, academics, and civil society representatives from Africa and beyond.
The goal, she said, “is not just to discuss challenges, but to co-create practical solutions for inclusive and sustainable growth.”
“BeDoCare is more than a conference,” Miranda told ACI Africa on Friday, August 29, and added, “It is a journey that began in Rome in 2022, continued in São Paulo in 2024, and will now reach its third stage in Nairobi in 2025.”
She explained that the initiative was born in view of the centenary of Opus Dei in 2028, inspired by the message of the founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá: to live faith in daily life and to turn work, education, and social commitment into service for the common good.
In BeDoCare, ‘Be’ stands for “start with purpose”, ‘Do’ stands for “act with meaning”, while ‘Care’ stands for “culminate in authentic care for others.”
BeDoCare suggests that true change comes from being intentional, acting responsibly, and genuinely caring for people and society.
Highlighting the importance of the envisioned Nairobi event, Miranda said, “It will be a special moment to bring together people from Africa and beyond around youth, education, work, dignity, and sustainable development.”
Themes for the event have been structured around youth unemployment that, according to organizers, “is one of Africa’s most urgent challenges.” Other themes include inclusive education systems, environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, as well as rethinking international partnerships.
On reinventing partnerships, BeDoCare proposes “moving beyond aid and paternalism to models of cooperation that respect dignity, culture, and aspirations of African communities.”
Among speakers selected for the conference is Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, a member of Opus Dei.
On day one of the conference, participants will engage on the topics “Africa in 50 years: Challenges and Opportunities”, “Telling the African Story” and “Nurturing a Culture of Translating Research into Impactful Policies”.
There will also be education-themed workshops on the first day of the conference. One of the envisioned workshops on this day is titled, “Overcoming Educational Barriers in Low-Income Communities”.
The theme for the second day of the conference is “Work”. Some of the topics planned include “How Companies Can Improve Competitiveness”, “Future of Work, “Shaping Leaders for the Evolving Job Market” and “Bridging Skill Gaps for Employment”.
According to organizers, the Nairobi Agenda has been shaped directly by African partners, ensuring that local voices define priorities and guide the way forward.
The highlight of the final day of the conference is the launch of The BeDoCare Hub.
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