For three days, Cadenabbia, Italy, served as the venue for our 2024 Summer School for Political Speechwriters. Six African politicians and communication experts gathered at Konrad Adenauer's historic summer residence to refine their speechwriting skills.

Under the guidance of expert facilitators from the USA, Germany, Senegal, and South Africa, participants delved into essential speech drafting elements such as AI utilization, combatting disinformation, emotional storytelling, and audience-centric communication. The programme concluded with participants showcasing their newfound skills through individual speeches.

Upon the conclusion of the workshop, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, a participant from South Africa and Member of Parliament said, “a speech is not just what you write, it is a message that has consequence for the future”, about a critical lesson he learnt from the course.

The event underscored our dedication to fostering the next generation of African leaders. Equipped with refined abilities, participants departed Cadenabbia prepared to effect positive change through the power of speech, inspired by Adenauer's legacy.