Africa is full of positive aspects. We just tend to forget them, as the world is constantly bombarded by negative images of the continent. This is what the Pan African leadership programme by the British Council aims to show. The enthusiastic leaders of 19 African countries and Great Britain are at Le Méridien for a three-day workshop – one of the highlights of the programme – where they will be sharing their positive experiences from their own countries and learning from each other.

It is 1.30 pm in the Chamarel conference room of Le Méridien. African percussion music rings out as the participants slowly come back from lunch… Gradually the hall is caught in a big fever. Participants start dancing, singing and taking partners on to the “dance floor” just fitted out for the occasion. Everyone is laughing and enjoying this happy time together.

The dance lasts only five minutes. Time for all the participants to remind themselves why they are here and how much pleasure they can get out of this moment. Then, everyone sits down with their team and starts sharing experiences of their country with other members. Everyone feels comfortable and enjoys learning what has been happening in each other’s country. A Zimbabwean is happy to share the fact that his country is one of the rare ones taking part in the cricket world cup while his team is delighted to hear that there is a cricket world cup… An Englishwoman insists on the beauty of waterfalls in Africa but can’t help shedding some tears when she relates that one of her best friends just died that morning – and that this friend “loved water sports and had a real passion for Africa”.

This is what this programme is all about. It could actually be described as a unique experience full of emotions aimed at “enhancing individual capacities to lead effectively so that social change occurs”.

Participants come from very different walks of life – public sector, private sector and community including journalists, scientists, pilots, teachers and others – and are put together to highlight the positive aspects of their country and Africa in general. “This programme has just changed the way I have behaved all my life but also my vision of the African continent. Not only has it allowed me to be more positive in my professional and personal life but I have also acquired a strong African identity, which I did not really have as a Mauritian,” comments one of the Mauritian participants.

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