Highlighting some of the current social problems in Australia, including the growing lack of understanding and commitment to true democracy, was the central theme of a keynote presentation delivered at the annual Kenya Catholic High School Principals conference by Professor Christopher Branson, Director of Catholic Leadership Studies at Australian Catholic University’s (ACU’s) La Salle Academy.
Hosted by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi the conference, which attracted more than 1400 delegates this year, is an annual event for Kenya Catholic secondary school principals as well as government and Catholic education system delegates.
Now in its sixth year the conference features keynote speakers aligned with key issues currently being faced by secondary principals throughout Kenya.
Voting takes place for members of the Catholic Schools Principals Association of Kenya during the conference, who also establish recommendations to guide the role of the principal during the ensuing year. The recommendations are presented to the conference for ratification during the final session.
“Democracy is more than having a right to vote towards selecting a government,” said Professor Branson. “It is about becoming both rational and moral persons, building a future based on reason and progress but founded on a willingness to compromise for the common good, nurturing people committed to consensus and cooperation which creates a civil and ordered society, and a willingness to be open minded and share power and influence.
“Today our students must have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of democracy while at school. But such learning must be able to engage the student’s heart and mind – they must be able to see and feel the benefits of democracy while at school and not just simply know about it.”
Professor Branson argued that advocating for democracy mandates the need for school leadership and culture to be modelling and promoting democracy, which requires leadership to become more relationally founded and for school cultures to become more closely aligned to democratic values.
“Moreover, such leadership and culture enable the Catholic school to achieve its core mission, which I describe as modelling, promoting and creating the kingdom of God within the school community each and every day.”
The presentation was well received with many conference delegates requesting access to Professor Branson’s presentation. The conference concluded with the Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of East Africa expressing his desire to establish ongoing professional ties with ACU.
With thanks to ACU.
