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Dear change agents of AIESEC Africa, Several months ago, an AIESEC member challenged herself to organize one of the most amazing conferences in AIESEC network. Soon, young people from Benin, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire joined her and are determinate to offer the best of themselves for this conference. April is getting close and it is with a great pleasure and honor that we are getting ready for this great event that will gather over 200 young from 20 countries of Africa: AfroXLDS 2014 in Benin!!! Are you excited to be part of this? We welcome you by anticipation in Benin Republic with this first delegate mailer. AfroXLDS is the best platform offered yearly to AIESECers of Africa to reflect and act for the organization as well for Africa. This is also an opportunity to discover, explore, and develop skills and to HAVE FUN! So, we strongly hope that you will make AfroXLDS 2014 happen through your participation to the conference. AfroXLDS is the magic time of Africa but it cannot happen without you! So get ready to meet different cultures, to have meaningful conversations, to be challenged, to inspire and to design a better future for Africa.
Your devoted Alexy and the whole Congress Committee, African Exchange and Leadership Development Seminar 2014.
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African eXchange and Leadership Development Seminar (AfroXLDS) is the largest conference organized by AIESEC in Africa. This is a platform of exchange and trainings for young people of Africa and all over the world. The aim of the conference is to focus on issues of Africa and to design solutions and actions steps thanks to youth.
The conference will be run from 09th to 15th April.
Registration opens: 31th December 2013 Registration closes: 15th January 2014
The Basic objectives are: - promote and reinforce leadership and entrepreneurship of young Africans; - share social and professional opportunities; - facilitate African cultural integration and exchange; - launch partnerships; - etc.
Note: All payments will be made in CFA (XOF) only, depending on exchange rate at the date of 07.04.2013 You can check exchange rates and currencies on xe.com
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Any delegate not registered, not confirm will not attend to the conference. After your registration, your MC must confirm your participation to the conference. As soon as your registration is confirmed, you should pay the entire amount of delegates’ fees, even if you will not attend to AfroXLDS anymore. After the deadline of registration, any delegate registered will have to pay the late registration fees. The delegates’ fees will be paid to CC on 08th and 9th (latest at 20 pm GMT+1).
The CC will arrange the transportation for all delegates from the airport (Cardinal Bernadin Gantin) that arrive on 8.04.2013 and on 9.04.2013 from 5:00 to 23:00 and when leaving the site between 5:00 to 17:00 of 15.04.2013. For delegates arriving up some days earlier or staying up to 3 days after AFROXLDS, the CC will offer lodging in a low cost hotel at the delegates’ own expense (the hotels’ names, addresses will be notify later). For delegates arriving after 23:00 of 9.04.2013 and for delegates leaving after 17:00 of 15.04.2013, the CC will arrange the transportation at delegates’ own expense. The principles above will be applied if delegates arriving to the point of pickup that CC specified as the most convenient for transportation purposes. The CC is not responsible for the pick-up at different location apart of the national airport.
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COUNTRIES Apart of the countries mentioned on the list opposite, all the other countries need visa to enter in Benin Republic. The visa can be got in Benin, at the airport or you can get it before your arrival (if there is a diplomatic representation of Benin Republic in your country). It will take a maximum of 30 days. The cost for tourism visa is 20 € for 7 days and 35 € for 30 days.
It is required for all delegates to subscribe to travel insurance before their arrival in Benin, for the conference. No registration will be confirmed if there is no proof of insurance subscription.
ECOWAS Countries (Burkina-Faso, Bissau Guinea, Cap-Vert, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo Algeria
VISA REQUIREMENT
OBSERVATIONS
NO
Upon to 3 months (90 days)
NO
Upon to 3 months (90 days) Upon to 1 month (30 days) Upon to 3 months (90 days) Upon to 14 days Upon to 3 months (90 days)
South Africa
NO
China
NO
Hong Kong Macao
NO NO
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‌BENIN, country of mysteries and blessings!!! Dubbed one time the "Latin Quarter of Africa", Benin is the crossroads of 1001 stories, traditions and cultures. This is one of the few countries that offer all the tables of the African continent. Indeed, from north to south, from west to east, you will discover lakes, which illustrate the calm and sweetness of this country, or the hills, mountains, natural parks, which are the delight of tourists. Welcome in Benin, the land of Voodoo, crossroads of 1001 cultures!!!
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History : The early history of Benin bring us to explore the kingdom of Dahomey and colonization. One of the most legendary kings of the kingdom of Dahomey is the most noble King Behanzin (whose emblem shark) which attacked the French in 1890 in Cotonou, kept 73 days of the French hostages. He was captured in January 1894 and deported to Martinique. French institutions were grouped in the colony of Dahomey. In the north, the kingdom of Nikki Bariba, which reached its apogee in the eighteenth century to face the expansionism of the kingdom of Ilorin Nigeria, put up a fierce resistance to French colonization. After the Second World War, it developed especially in the south several foci political and intellectual who started the struggle for independence. The Benin gained full independence on 1 August 1960, under the name Republic of Dahomey, before taking its current name in 1975 with the advent of the Marxist-Leninist regime. Since the end of Marxist-Leninist regime in 1989, Benin has a very strong image in any democratic country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Benin in brief : The Republic of Benin is founded on 1st August 1960. The Territory of Benin: 114 763 km2 Constitution: democratic parliamentary republic National anthem: Aube nouvelle President: Boni Thomas YAYI (since April 2006 and re-elected in April 2011) Official language: French Total population: in 2009: 8 791 833 hab (0-14 ans : 45,2%; 15-64 ans: 52,1%; + 65 ans: 2,6%) 8
Capital city: Porto-Novo Ethnic composition: Mainly in the north: Bariba ou Baatombu, Dendi, Djerma, Groussi, Haoussa, Mossi, Paragourma, Peuls ou Fulbe; In south : Fon, Adja, Ewé, Gen, Mina, Yoruba, Mahi, Nago Time: GMT +1 International telephone code: +229
Geographical location and Climate: State of the Gulf of Guinea, the Republic of Benin is bounded on the north by Niger, east by Nigeria, west by Togo, to the northwest by Burkina Faso and south by the ocean Atlantic. The north is mostly consisted of savannas and semi-arid mountains. The south consists of a low coastal plain dotted with marshes, lakes and lagoons such as Lake Nokoué or lagoon of Porto Novo. The country is located in a tropical zone; its climate is hot and wet. The moisture rate, always important, is between 65 and 95%. The average temperature is between 22 and 34 ° C. In April, it will be raining; so get prepared with umbrellas, raincoats, etc.
Dassa
Oueme Lake
Aheme Lake
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People: Benin is a country that reveals several tables that can provide sociocultural African heritage whether ethno cultural or social habits. You will be pleased to discover the cultural wealth of more than twenty different social groups each with its own history, language and traditions. The fact remains that certain common values provide a harmonious and peaceful life. The country is divided into two main geo-cultural areas: • The North has been the fate of the peoples of the savanna (or Baatombu Bariba, Dendi, Djerma, Grouss, Hausa, Mossi, Paragourma, Fulani or Fulbe, ...) • southern and central regions that are marked by the history of the peoples of the Gulf of Guinea (Aja and Fon, Ewe, Gen, Mina, Yoruba, Mahi, Nago,...)
But in the country, Fon people are the majority.
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Religion : Again, Benin is an excellent model of tolerance. Be aware that the country is secular. All religious are not known exactly but the majority is Christians 42.8%, 24.4% Muslims, 17.3% Animist and Voodoo, 6% other. The particularity here is that Voodoo is a religion which took its ancestral source in Benin, remains highly respected regardless of religious affiliation of each; because the Voodoo is a set of beliefs, faiths and traditions who plays an important legacy cultural.
Adept Voodoo
Cathedral Notre Dame Zongo mosque
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Currency :
The CFA franc is the name of the common currency of 8 African countries. These are the following states: Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, which form the Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which the central bank is the Central Bank of the State 'West Africa (BCEAO) CFA franc means "frank of the African Financial Community" for member countries of the WAEMU. 1 euro = 655,957 FCFA 1 $US= 476,088 FCFA 1 NGN = 3,018 For the other currencies, you can use www.xe.com
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Culture: Art: Leather, jewelry and statues Leather bags made in northern cities such as Djougou BoukoumbĂŠ and are among the crafts the most popular of Benin. Much leather Northern manufacture bags on order models on Americans or Europeans. In the South, animal skins and wood are used to make decorative drums or “tam-tams. They are used in traditional ceremonies and dances and can be easily found in Porto Novo, Abomey and Comè. The metal work and silverware are also found in Benin. In the South, you find bracelets, rings and statues made of nickel, copper and bronze in most city markets. In the north, these items as well as aluminum swords and even silver jewelry are available in cities like Parakou, Djougou and Nikki. Tapestries: The rich traditions and folklore of the Beninese people are so lively pints on tapestries woven fabrics and rich colors. In the South, you find articles from weaving tablecloths and clothing to handbags and even hammocks. The most unique aspect of weaving in the South is the representation of animals symbolizing the ancient kings of Dahomey. The weaving centers in the South are Abomey and Toffo (near Allada). 13
The sacred masks:
Zangbeto The "Zangbeto" or night “watchman” is a sacred mask that was initially responsible for ensuring the population. Thus, they serve to drive away evil spirits and removal of hazards especially at night. They are used to expose the thieves and other criminals without doing justice to themselves.
Egun-gun Kouvito
or
Ghosts, or Kouvito, Egun-gun, are an institution that represents the spirit of the dead people. According to history, the ghosts have appeared thanks to supernatural powers in order to stay in communication with their deceased parents. Nowadays, they dance for spectacles. 14
Guelede : The mask Guèlèdè Yoruba (or Yoruba) is worn flat on the head of the dancer. It is part of a voodoo cult (or vodou) to implore the mercy of the gods. Characters, animals, objects symbolic cut the mask. The tradition of Guèlèdè is alive in the region of Oueme.
Traditionnal dances : There are dances of rejoicing that vary from one region to another. We have the old ritual dances and of royal court, which were executed before a kingdom war, after a victory or during the coronation of a King. We also distinguish voodoo dances.
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Food : Benin food, originally consisted of dishes, is composed largely of plants (mostly edible leaves). Over the decades, Benin cuisine has been influenced by various cultures, but it retains the ancestral secrets that make it unique and diverse. The choice is various between the boiled and hot main dishes often consist of different sauces and pastes. In the North, "Wassa-Wassa" (a couscous made with yam chips), pounded yam (Agoun) and peanut sauce are popular. To the south, the preferences are oriented dough pastes and a variety of spicy sauces.
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Tourism, places to see at all costs: Ganvié, the lake city nicknamed the Venice of Africa Far 18 km from Cotonou, Ganvié is the largest lakeside city of West Africa, also known under the name "Venice of Africa”, less than thirty minutes’ drive from Cotonou, on the road to Abomey. The large floating market is held every three days but a smaller market for fishermen is held every morning between 6am and 10am.
Ouidah Located 40 km from Cotonou, the city of Ouidah is the ancient port of embarkation of slaves to Brazil and Haiti. Known for its colonial architectural heritage, including Portuguese fort which is the centerpiece, Ouidah is also the home of voodoo. Ouidah is also the town many touristic places with his heavenly landscape of sandy beaches of sight and hotel complex in the image of a Club Med which is the joy of Cotonois weekends. The most attractive places are the Quarter of Old Ouidah, 17
Home of Brazil, The Slave Route, the Portuguese Fort, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ouidah, Temple of Pythons, the “back door”, the Kpassè sacred forests and many more...
Dassa You can admire here the hills, mountains, the cave Marian, the hippopotamus pond...
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Pendjari National Park and Park W
Established as protected areas since 1950s with the original purpose to serve as hunting areas to the colonial administration, these parks are wilderness and natural spaces. It looks waterfalls, wildlife and vegetation, with all the beauty of nature. More touristic sites on ww.benintourisme.com
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CC Contact List Name
Position
Philalexie SOSSOU
Congress Committee President (CCP)
Marguerite N'DRIN
Congress Committee VicePresident of Delegate Servicing (CCVP DS) Teamster Delegates Servicing
Stella FAYOMI
TĂŠlĂŠphone
alexy.sossou@aiesec.net
229 9714 1801
marguerite.ndrin@aiesec.net
225 0896 2745
efayomi@yahoo.fr, efayomi@hotmail.fr
229 9666 2792
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