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Stakeholders and partners of Together for a new Africa (T4NA) have just concluded a four days Strategic planning workshop held at Mariapolis Pierro, Kenya from 22nd to 24th August 2019. 
The climax of this process will be the launch of the new strategic plan that will guide the project’s operations in the next five years.
Leading on the strategic planning workshop was Mr. Alexis Nsabimana, Strategic planning expert from Burundi. Among the stakeholders present during the workshop included: Sophia Institute, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), Professors, Tutors, Focolare Movement, and Movement for Politics and Policy in Unity (MPPU).
The Strategic planning workshop focused on establishing the Projects direction, setting priorities and identifying obstacles and opportunities that may limit or enable them to carry out the Mission of Together for a New Africa project. In addition the workshop was to provide a framework that would help in addressing challenges and take advantage of opportunities that arise along the way.
On the first day of the workshop, stakeholders were reminded about the original vision which African students studying at Sophia Institute had, which helped in clarifying and affirming the Mission and Vision of the project. Considering the positive influence all stakeholders have on the project, participants had a moment to do a SWOT analysis (analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the project. 
The SWOT analysis helped the participants to agree on what to include in the strategic plan so as to increase strengths, reduce weaknesses, exploit on opportunities and mitigate threats.
At the same time Tutors who are key pillars of the project had an opportunity to share about local activities that have taken place after the first summer school. In addition, they also shared the challenges that have come along their way in implementing local activities and keeping the student groups together.
Defining the Africa we want was key towards redefining the vision and mission of Together for a new Africa. All stakeholders agreed that the goal of the project is to educate new African leaders who can influence positively in their communities. 
The outcomes and outputs of the project were considered as key towards planning the five year strategic plan.
Moreover, during the strategic planning meeting stakeholders and partners identified external and internal challenges and opportunities that may be encountered to help in designing well thought-out strategies to address them. 
The workshop facilitator Mr. Alexis Nsabimana Emphasized that strategic planning is a powerful tool to keep our project energized, focused and effective.
The next summer school which is also the second edition of the three editions is scheduled to take place from 28th December 2019 to 5th January 2020. It is expected that all students who participated in the first summer school will also be present to do the second part of the three year training course on new leadership.
