Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM): Addis Ababa Declaration on Catholic Education

I. Preamble We, the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences, Bishops, Catholic educators, leaders of Catholic universities and schools, members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, clergy, lay faithful, young people, and partners in Catholic education from across Africa and Madagascar, gathered in Addis Ababa for a four-day conference from 5-8 August 2026 for the First Continental Conference on Catholic Education . We examined the stakes, challenges and perspectives for catholic education in our continent of Africa. Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teaching of the Church, the Global Compact on Education, the Kampala Document and the rich cultural heritage of Africa and Madagascar, we reaffirm that Catholic education is an essential ministry of the Church, a privileged instrument of evangelization, and a powerful force for moulding of character as well as the essential tool for integral human development. Having reflected together on the opportunities and challenges facing Catholic education in our continent, and having listened to experiences from the different regions of our continent and intending to reinforce the results already achieved,