DECLARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC MOVEMENT FOR INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS – ICMICA MIIC AFRICA
International Francophone Symposium on Christian Leadership, Peace, Good Governance, and the Protection of Life Cotonou, Benin – May 1–4, 2025

Read original 

We, members of the International Movement of Catholic Intellectuals – MIIC Pax-Romana Africa, gathered in Cotonou from May 1 to 4, 2025, for this international francophone symposium, in the presence of a delegation from the International Movement of Catholic Students (MIEC Pax-Romana), affirm with conviction our commitment to authentic Christian leadership, governance based on ethics and justice, and the unconditional protection of human life in all its forms.
Faced with the growing challenges of our time, we recognize that Christian leadership must not be a mere aspiration, but a responsibility that falls to each of us. We commit ourselves to promoting Christian leadership education from an early age, to accompanying future generations in their moral and social formation, and to establishing mentorship programs that enable Christian leaders to exercise their responsibilities with integrity and courage. Rooted in the Gospel values of fraternity and solidarity, we affirm the need for governance based on transparency, accountability, and respect for the common good.
We reiterate our commitment to defending human dignity and protecting life from conception to its natural end. The elderly, the disabled, refugees, children, and all vulnerable groups must receive special attention and adequate protection. We call on political and institutional decision-makers to adopt inclusive policies that respect these fundamental principles, and we commit ourselves to raising awareness and mobilizing civil society to guarantee these essential rights. With this in mind, we welcome the official launch of the 2025-2029 strategic and operational plan, as well as the idea of creating the Pax Romana Academy and two French- and English-speaking Pax Romana MIIC-Africa coordination groups, which will enable rigorous monitoring and concerted action in favor of a more just and united world.

Aware of the importance of a concrete and lasting commitment, we have resolved to continue publishing annual reports (activities and audits) on the progress made and the challenges ahead. We will organize periodic seminars to assess the impact of our actions and adjust our strategies according to local realities. We also call for strong partnerships with religious, academic, and political institutions to ensure the effective implementation of our recommendations. At a time when the world is striving for greater justice and fraternity, we strongly affirm that our responsibility is not limited to intellectual debates, but is embodied in determined action to influence decisions and build a truly human and Christian governance.

Strengthened by these commitments, we, the members of ICMICA – MIIC Pax Romana Africa, commit ourselves to:
1. Strengthening Christian leadership
• Encouraging the formation of Christian leaders capable of integrating ethical and moral principles into their governance;
• Promoting Christian leadership education from an early age to prepare committed and responsible generations;
• Establishing mentoring and support programs for Christian leaders active in the public and social spheres.

2. Promoting good governance and ethics
• Ensuring transparency and accountability in all administrative and political decisions;
• Establishing mechanisms to combat corruption and guaranteeing governance focused on the common good;
• Encouraging the involvement of Catholic intellectuals in the reform of Public and Private Institutions for more just governance;

3. Protecting life and human dignity
• Defend life from conception and promote policies that respect the rights of the most vulnerable (the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees, children);
• Raise awareness among decision-makers of the importance of social and medical protection for vulnerable populations;
• Develop strategies to integrate the principles of the Church’s social doctrine into public policy;
• Promote ecological conversion and the adoption of the encyclical Laudato Si.

 

4. Concrete actions and commitments of the symposium
• Creation of a Pax-Romana MIIC-Africa Academy as a research and action center;
• Creation of two French-speaking and English-speaking coordination groups to follow up on recommendations;
• Organization of awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns targeting government and church authorities;
• Implementation of local and international projects promoting ethical and inclusive governance.

5. Monitoring and evaluation of commitments
• Publication of an annual report on progress made and challenges to be addressed;
• Establishment of partnerships with religious, academic, and political institutions for the effective implementation of recommendations;
• Organization of periodic seminars to evaluate actions taken and adapt strategies to local realities.
In this dynamic of participatory governance and peacebuilding, a significant step forward is the creation of a drafting committee responsible for developing the operating charter of the Pax Romana Academy. This committee will be tasked with defining the guiding principles and fundamental values that will guide the operation of this institution, ensuring an inclusive and transparent approach.

Long live Pax-Romana, symbol of peace and unity! Honor and strength to MIIC Pax-Romana, pillar of development and constructive dialogue!

Cotonou, Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Signed by:

  • ICMICA Africa
  • IMCS Africa
  • MIIC and MIEC Togo
  • MIIC Cote d’Ivoire
  • MIIC Benin