30 Aug 2015

Deputy Secretary general for the Commonwealth, Ms Mmasekgowa Masire-Mwamba, has  commended members of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) for their success in their primary endeavors of supporting communities through volunteerism and through giving.

“I wish to thank you and applaud you on this milestone. A 100 years is more than just a milestone,” she said. Ms Masire-Mwamba said this when giving a key note address at the JCI foundation dinner session, that was held at President Hotel, where the objective was to celebrate 100 years of existence and also raise funds for the organisation.

She said although she was not a member of JCI, she has however had an opportunity both in her previous jobs at BEDIA and also as a Deputy Secretary General to meet, engage and work particularly with young people as they seek to improve themselves, their communities and contributing to the global agenda.

Ms Masire-Mwamba encouraged the members to celebrate the JCI movement, and went on to say, “let us see the impact, let this sacrifice and contributions not be in vain, but be a way to contribute to our national communities and ourselves.

For his part, the chairperson of JCI Botswana, Mr Antony Siwawa expressed hope that members would see themselves as a bed of experienced people, which have been garnered over the years to assist the association in identifying projects that are doable and sustainable in the short and medium term, but that have impact in terms of the objective of JCI.

“While today JCI celebrated 23 years of existence in Botswana, in 10 years we would have created the legacy that will create an impact in the lives of our people,” he said. Junior Chamber International is a non-profit international non-governmental organisation of young people between 18 and 40 years old.

It has members in about 124 countries, and regional or national organisations in many of them. It has consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and with United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

It encourages young people to become responsible citizens and to participate in efforts towards social and economic development, and international co-operation, good-will and understanding. ENDS