Nkrumah University in collaboration with NOCZ hosts OVEP Conference.

The need for advancing critical thinking and innovation could not have been overemphasized at the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) Independence Conference, which was held at Kwame Nkrumah National University in Kabwe, Central Province on Friday.

The conference which was a brainchild of the OVEP club at the learning institution brought together young volunteers from Lusaka, students, and lecturers from Nkrumah and was graced by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Alfred Mwanza who was the guest of honour.

Kwame Nkrumah University Vice Chancellor Prof. Alfred Mwanza addressing the participants during the Independence OVEP Conference

The event was filled with speeches, sport demonstrations, debates, and presentations from both students and officiating dignitaries who also included the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Vice President Ms. Hazel Kennedy who is also Chairperson of the National Olympic Academy who joined virtually.

The principle message in all activities was about the inclusion of every human being, avoiding discrimination and respect for one another, which are a key part of Olympic values.

In her speech, Ms. Kennedy reminded participants and guests for the need to observe the principle of the Olympics, which call for everyone to embrace one another.

“It’s about how we treat each other; the sport is just a way to celebrate our humanity. This is what is important, we need to remember that we are guided by our humanity, who we are and how we represent our country and ourselves,” she said in her preamble remarks.

“We need to be thinking about our communities and our children because they are future, if they are not taught the values of humanity then they are lost.”

NOCZ Vice President Ms. Hazel Kennedy joined via Zoom to give her remarks

She called on the stakeholders to inculcate critical thinking in the young people, as this would ensure they develop the communities they live in.

She concluded her remarks by calling on the management of the institution to continue pushing the students to embrace togetherness in line with Olympic values.

Meanwhile, Nkrumah Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mwanza assured participants that his administration would provide support to research and innovation that would be undertaken in a bid to enhance the implementation of Olympic values.

Nkrumah University OVEP Club Members during a debate at the conference

“My administration would always support such activities that would support activities that encourage critical thinking and find solutions through research.”

“I implore the National Olympic Committee of Zambia to work with us in research and sports as continue to work together in other areas,” Prof Mwanza said.

Prof Mwanza also revealed that his institutions would be ready to work with other partners in the development of sports.

In addition, OVEP Club President Lifford Ngwira called on members to be consistent and focused if they are to achieve their target of innovation.

At the same event, both students and members of the OVEP Club agreed to implement a number of resolutions that included empower students facing challenges with social needs as well as having a counseling centre set up to curb issues of mental health.

N.B; The audio recording of the presentations and debate will be made available on our youtube channel.