The Liliane Foundation Inclusion Network (LINC) Africa chapter, held its second annual meeting in Lusaka-Zambia from 12 to 15 May 2018. The meeting attracted members from 18 nationalities across Africa, both English speaking (10 countries) and French speaking (7 countries).
LINC-Africa was officially launched in Kigali in April 2017 to promote a broader vision of societies where children with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of life and meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their well-being.
During this meeting, participants discussed different items including, Achievement of the networks for both Francophone and Anglophone, presentation on Multi-Annual Plan of the Liliane Foundation and the FLOW Model, the use of Blue Jeans, creating a regional knowledge bank for LINC, reflection on learning from CAN conference, update from international secretariat on branding and Update on other LINC-regional network and presentations of members on different topics: Presentation on Health and Rehabilitation by CBC/Cameroon, Presentation on the STEP Project/Uganda, Presentation on Orthopedic (Prosthesis and Orthotics and Appliances) /Uganda, Presentation on Advocacy work and strategies/ Burundi and Presentation on Inclusive Education/ Zambia. Finally, members worked on Formulation of the regional strategy for the network.
This meeting ended up with elections of the representatives of the network. Mr Greaterman Chivandire from Leonard Cheshire Disability/Zimbabwe was elected as the chairperson for English speaking, whereas Mr Dominique BIZIMANA from the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda /Rwanda was elected as the chairperson for French speaking. The chairpersons will be assisted technically by Miss Isabel (for English speaking) based in Zimbabwe and Mr Bernard Houehounde (for French speaking) based in Benin.