Ouagadougou: More than 250 delegates from the Network of Former Jecists of Africa (RAJA) reflected, from August 4 to 9, 2024 in N'Djamena (Chad), on their contribution to the construction of a responsible laity in the service of the Church and society in Africa. It was on the occasion of their 11th Pan-African General Assembly (AGP). 'The contribution of the RAJA to the construction of a responsible laity in the service of the Church and society in Africa', this was the theme of the 11th Pan-African General Assembly of the Network of Former Jecists of Africa (RAJA) which took place It is held from August 4 to 9, 2024 in N'Djamena, Chad. The launch of activities marking the AGP took place during the opening mass on Sunday August 4, 2024 at the Notre-Dame de la Paix Cathedral in N'Djamena, presided over by Mgr Ditangar Goethe Edmond, Metropolitan Archbishop of N'Djamena. 'Djamena. The current president of the RAJA, Clotaire Deguenon, indicated that this general assembly marks the beginning of a new era withi n the RAJA. In his speech, he recalled that for several years, the AGMs have taken place in two sessions: a study session and a statutory session. The first session allows members to update their knowledge in specific areas relating to current events and their faith. The second session, for its part, offers them the opportunity to learn about the life of RAJA/country through the reports presented, to adjust their texts and to elect a new office. The more than 250 delegates present came from 11 countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Kenya, Chad and Togo. Burkina Faso, the country hosting the RAJA headquarters, had a delegation made up of 10 members, including a priest and a religious sister. The first session, which lasted 2 days, began with the inaugural conference led by Mgr Joachim Kouraleyo Tarounga, Bishop of Moundou. Following this, the various speakers who followed one another delivered communications on violent extremism in Africa. Among t he different themes addressed, we can note, among others, the problem of exclusion and socio-economic and political marginalization of young people in the Sahel area; the employability of young people and their right to basic social services, as well as human rights education as a tool for resilience in the face of violent extremism. The theme of the impact of violent extremism on women was also addressed through the communication 'Integration of the gender dimension in efforts to prevent violent extremism'. Fruitful exchanges allowed participants to better understand the challenges of the crisis in the Sahel, its consequences as well as the need for everyone to engage without sparing effort in the fight against extremism and terrorism in Africa and, therefore , in the world. Source: Burkina Information Agency