Ziniar©: The Presidential Initiative for Community Development organized a public conference on July 29, 2025, in Ziniar©, focusing on the values of civic duty, patriotism, and social cohesion. The event, held in the town’s multipurpose hall, brought together participants from various municipalities in the Oubri region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the conference discussions were structured around three main themes: ‘Civicism and Citizenship’, ‘Patriotism and Citizen Participation’, and ‘Culture of Peace and Social Cohesion’. Denis Dabon©, Director of Civics and Citizenship Education at the Ministry of Human Rights, elaborated on the first theme, defining Burkinabe citizenship, discussing the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and emphasizing civic duty with references to role models from the Thomas Sankara Revolution. He noted the quality of discussions and the participants’ commitments as indicators of sincere interest and willingness to relay the messages to their communities.
The governor of the Oubri region, Assetou Barry, expressed satisfaction with the turnout, stating that despite the rain, the room was nearly full. Barry emphasized that attendees of the conference are expected to become advocates for peace, social cohesion, and commitment to development alongside authorities.
Dominique Conombo, technical coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Community Development, highlighted that these conferences aim to strengthen public support for the reconstruction efforts led by the President of the Transition. The focus is on instilling values of civic duty, patriotism, and a culture of peace, also supporting the country’s fighting forces on the ground.
Models of civic engagement were showcased, such as El Hadj Sadou Bikienga from Nagr©ongo, who was recognized as the best engaged citizen in 2023. Presidential envoy Boureima Sawadogo praised local initiatives, including contributions to Faso Mªªbo and urban sanitation projects. The engagement extended beyond speeches, as civil society organizations in Bassitenga announced a session to learn the national anthem in the Moor© language, demonstrating that the conference’s messages are being translated into tangible actions.