From 28–30 April 2026, IMBISA will convene a meeting on communication and disability with the theme: “Bridging the Gap: A Regional Conference on Communication and Disability in the IMBISA Region.” Hosted in Pretoria, South Africa, this meeting will bring together representatives from all nine IMBISA member countries – Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé & Príncipe, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will deliver opening remarks in hybrid format on Tuesday 28 April 2026, underscoring the Dicastery’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Church in the IMBISA region.
The meeting aims to promote meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and strengthen inclusive communication strategies within the Church and society at large. As Pope Francis reminds Pope Francis, reminded us in the past: “There is no inclusion if the experience of fraternity and mutual communion is missing. There is no inclusion if it remains a slogan, a formula to be used in politically correct speeches, a flag”.
Guided by this vision, the regional meeting seeks not only to raise awareness but to inspire concrete action as can be seen from themes to be addressed which include “People with Disabilities and Cultural Perceptions in Southern Africa” and “Accessibility and Barriers: Challenges to the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Society” with experts from South Africa, Mozambique and Angola.