RSIC2023 – Thank you to our hosts and thank you for coming!
Posted: 18 October 2023
A huge thank you to Brookhouse Schools, on behalf of all delegates who attended last week’s Round Square International Conference 2023 – The New Africa – in Nairobi, Kenya. Feedback from both student and adult delegates has been fantastic, and is testament to Brookhouse School’s meticulous planning and warm hospitality. Particular thanks go to all of the Student Steering Committee Members, Baraza Leaders, and Conference Committees across the Karen and Runda Campuses, as well as to the adult organiser teams, led by John, Willie, Joseph, Clara, Moses, Katrina, Eric, Emily, Ann, Anpurna, Steve, Graham, and Andy.
On Sunday 8th October, delegates arrived at Brookhouse Schools and experienced a warm Kenyan Karibu (welcome). After registering and receiving their delegate bags, a variety of activities kept students occupied, including camel rides, milking cows, horse rides, henna, bead-work activities, caricaturists and hair braiders. After dinner, delegates on each campus headed to the auditorium and enjoyed musical performances from Brookhouse alumni @ericwainainamusic at Runda, and @kagwemungai at Karen.
After a restful first night at Qwertu Hostel, 1,200 delegates from 160 schools from across the RS community made their way to Bomas of Kenya for the opening ceremony, and were welcomed by Brookhouse students in cultural dress, lining the drive bearing the flags of attending schools. Guest of honour, Margaret Kenyatta, opened the ceremony, amidst vibrant musical and dance performances. The auditorium was filled with songs from Brookhouse choir, including solos from former Brookhouse students Brianna and nikita_kering.
Students shared the story of Wangari Maathai (the first Kenyan and African woman to win the Nobel peace prize), and Maaathai’s story of The Hummingbird was brought to life by children from Prep years who shared a captivating performance with audience participation. During the Opening Ceremony, a welcome address was given by Round Square Chairman/ Brookhouse Head of School, John O’Connor, and Round Square Chief Executive, Rachael Westgarth, including a standing wave in tribute to Kurt Hahn. We also congratulated, and heard from, this year’s recipient of the Kurt Hahn Prize: Vihaan Agarwal, from The Shri Ram School, Aravali, in India. Over a lunch event, attending Round Square Schools who became Global Members during the past year received their Round Square flag, formal Membership Certificate and pins. The Opening event ended with a performance that introduced us to the lively world of the Kenyan Matatu (public bus).
On days 3-5 of the Conference (Tuesday to Thursday), delegates split into three carousels which were spread across the two campuses, enabling students and adults to mix. Each carousel experienced the same three days in a different order: Democracy Day, on which they heard from guest panellists, keynote speakers, and participated in Baraza discussions before heading to their homestay for a taste of Kenyan hospitality; Adventure Day, on which delegates ventured into Nairobi’s National Park for a mini safari and overnight camp; and Service Day in which delegates worked at Brookhouse’s community partner schools in the Nairobi area, refurbishing classrooms, gardening, and playing sports with the children and the day ended with enjoying cultural performances from many of the delegate schools.
The Conference ended with a Keynote address by Paralympic Athlete Henry Wanyoike, followed by a Closing Ceremony, including student performances, a tribute to Round Square’s late president, King Constantine, an address from Round Square’s Chairman and Chief Executive, and a spectacular live performance from Kenyan chart-toppers Sauti Sol.
Thank you to all schools that participated in making this Conference a fantastic experience for all involved, illustrating, as was said, and experienced, many times during our week together – Ubuntu: I am, because we are.