Ubuntu in Action: AAI Scholars Reflect and Connect at Tsudoi 2026
At the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) 2026 Tsudoi, held from February 20th to 24th at the National Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo, Scholars gathered under the theme “Ubuntu in Action: Building Legacies for Change.” Chosen by the Scholars themselves, the theme honored the legacy of Ashinaga’s founder, Yoshiomi Tamai. Tsudoi is an annual gathering where AAI Scholars come together to reflect not only on their academic and leadership journeys but also on the impact they aspire to create in their communities. Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” the gathering encouraged Scholars to think beyond individual success and toward collective responsibility and meaningful change.
Over five days, the program included lectures, workshops, and bonding activities that brought Scholars together. Highlights featured a keynote speech by Dr. Julie Gichuru, media leader and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI). Sessions such as “Igniting Your Inner Leader – Shaping Society” and “The Art of Storytelling” encouraged participants to reflect on leadership, communication, and their role in shaping society. Scholars also took part in the Model Africa Union simulation, engaging with key issues affecting the continent while building skills in diplomacy and collaboration. In addition to these sessions, there were team bonding activities and group discussions. The program also hosted a community Give Back event, encouraging Scholars to turn reflection into action, and wrapped up with a celebration at the AAI Glow Gala.
During her keynote address, Dr. Julie Gichuru encouraged Scholars to take ownership of their stories and pair ambition with deliberate action. Drawing from her experience in media and leadership, she emphasized that education should serve dignity, livelihoods, and prosperity, urging Scholars to “use education as your armor.” This message resonated deeply with Dativa, a first-year AAI Scholar from Tanzania, who reflected on the importance of transforming dreams into intentional plans. Attending Tsudoi for the first time, Dativa described the experience as both inspiring and transformative. She shared that she gained far more than she had anticipated—through guest speakers, workshops, lectures, bonding sessions, and community give-back activities. Beyond learning, she valued the opportunity to connect with peers from diverse countries, exchanging cultures and personal experiences. For her, these moments brought the concept of Ubuntu, the central theme of this year’s gathering, to life in a meaningful and tangible way.
The gathering also demonstrated a growing spirit of collaboration within the AAI community. In recent years, Tsudoi has welcomed more Japanese students, and this year marked the first time they were also part of the organizing committee. This collaborative environment created new opportunities for intercultural exchange. Shoya, a Japanese student and member of the Tsudoi organizing committee, reflected on working alongside Scholars from different countries. “The experience at AAI Tsudoi was both fun and educational. Although we faced some challenges during the session we led, many people helped us resolve them. It was my first time working with people from different countries, and I truly enjoyed the experience and learned so much from it.”
For Rachad, an AAI Scholar from Benin, this evolution highlights the value of co-creation. “This year’s AAI Tsudoi was a great learning and sharing time where I met fellow scholars from across Japan, both new and returning. I was also encouraged to see how Tsudoi has been inviting more Japanese students and, for the first time this year, involving them in the planning committee. Co-creation is the way forward, and the AAI program understood this very well.”
For Rachad, this year’s gathering was especially meaningful since it marked his last Tsudoi as an AAI Scholar. “As our keynote speaker Dr. Gichuru said, we are ‘living in interesting times,’ which encourages us to keep building legacies for change. I confidently leave my final AAI Tsudoi with this message in mind. I am grateful for the experience and wish all the best to my fellow scholars and to the AAI program.”
As the gathering ended, Scholars left not only with memories of workshops and discussions but also with renewed motivation and a stronger sense of community. Guided by the spirit of Ubuntu, they carry forward the understanding that the legacies they create will emerge through collaboration, solidarity, and a shared vision for change.
