The Jeunesse Etudiante Catholique (JEC), an international Catholic youth action movement, was born in the Church in 1929. Bringing together young schoolchildren and students committed to transforming their environment through action, JEC arrived in Burkina Faso in 1948. The members of the organisation are planning to celebrate this anniversary with activities unveiled at a press conference held on 15 December at the Centre Cardinal Paul Zoungrana in Ouagadougou.
JEC in Burkina Faso, 75 years at the service of the Church and society: assessment, challenges and prospects” is the theme chosen by JEC Burkina Faso for the celebration of its alabaster jubilee in 2023. The national organising committee, chaired by Désiré Tankoano, has outlined the activities that will be carried out at national level to mark this highly symbolic and very important anniversary.
For us, the 75th anniversary is a crucial moment in the life of the YEC. First of all, it’s a symbol of maturity: 75 years is the sign of a great deal of experience accumulated in life. It’s reason enough to celebrate the resilience of the YEC over the years, and the positive things it has achieved in all that time,” he says.
As an opportunity to give thanks to God and to reflect on the future of the movement, activities are planned, including an opening mass on 28 December 2022 at Ouagadougou Cathedral parish, collections of material and financial goods for the benefit of IDPs, the holding of the movement’s general assembly, and a gala evening to recognise the merits of senior YEC members.
