YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon - In the first session the Superior of UAF, Fr. Bruno Kuen welcomed all the participants. Besides welcoming all participants and saying thanks to everybody who was involved in the preparation of the General Conference, Father Superior General Mark McDonald made the roll call. Father Hans Lamers MSC, Provincial Superior of the North Germany Province, who passed away and we prayed for him and for the Province that is preparing for a Chapter in two weeks time.

Father Paul Verbruggen MSC as Secretary of the General Conference explained the practical and technical things. After welcoming words and some practical things, Father André Claessens MSC, the speaker for the first week commenced the topic of the General Conference. He presented the method and content for each day of this week. The main theme is Religious Life in Africa in relation to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation – A Challenge for the MSC.

The participants were divided into three groups, namely French, English and Spanish speaking. The Groups were invited to watch the films: “Cow number 80 has a problem”, “Forest and climate change” and “An Inconvenient Truth” and power point presentation about Agro-Fuels. These DVDs led the participants to reflect and?? discuss some important aspects regarding JPIC issues.