Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU) in Moshi Tanzania in Collaboration with Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB) of Belgium were involved in Joint interdisciplinary workshop for students from both institutions to be held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania from 9th March to 17th March 2024. The theme of the workshop is sustainable urban area-development “Connecting for Moshi Urban Pazuri”. The workshop will involve designing interdisciplinary solutions for urban development and enhanced environmental sustainability in Moshi. The students were involved in field excursions in Moshi urban including Uhuru Park. The field excursion at Uhuru Park took place on 15th and 16th March 2024. During the field tour 20 students from each institution were guided in designing interdisciplinary solutions for urban development and enhanced environmental sustainability in Moshi Municipal Council. The activity was supported by the team from department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and Department of Urban Planning and Land Management of Moshi Municipal.
Never Drop the Microphone’ is a outreach program aimed at empowering youth in Tanzania to discover and utilize their talents and potentials towards self-determination and societal contribution. The initiative addresses the prevalent issue of youth unemployment by encouraging young people to focus on creativity and self-employment rather than solely seeking jobs. The outreach has two primary objectives. Firstly, it aims to awaken youths to their inherent talents and potentials through workshops and training sessions held in secondary schools and universities across Tanzania. By fostering a sense of ownership over their learning and decision-making, the outreach program equips youths with the confidence and autonomy needed to navigate modern society. This objective is important for nurturing engaged citizens capable of positively impacting their communities and supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Secondly, the outreach activities seek to raise awareness about the urgent impacts of climate change among youth. This is achieved through various activities such as concerts, talk shows, and community engagements like the ‘Walk Talk’ program, where experts meet with community members to discuss and address climate-related issues. By increasing awareness, the program aims to inspire sustainable practices and drive technological advancements in climate change solutions. To effectively communicate its actions, the program utilizes social media platforms and engages in educational initiatives such as creating informative posts, videos, and articles. It also organizes screenings, debates, and climate-themed projects in schools to further spread awareness and encourage active participation among youths and their families.
On 17th May 2024 we were able to conduct workshop at Materuni Village Community on sustainable tourism practices, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving the environment, culture, and communities. There is increased number of tourists in the village attractions with less sustainable tourism practices. In partnership with Service Learning -MWECAU, and the Moshi District Council, the workshop aimed to empower tour guides with the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies required to champion responsible tourism initiatives in the village. Through this collaborative effort, participants were equipped to lead the way in fostering sustainable tourism practices that not only minimize ecological footprint but also enrich the culture and economy of the village.