"We believe that science must be popularized in all schools and communities" (Raïssa Malu)

The 12th edition of Science and Technology Week (SST) officially kicked off on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, under the theme: “Imagine Tomorrow: Science and Society.” In her opening remarks, Minister of State and Minister of National Education and New Citizenship, Raïssa Malu, noted that since 2014, Science Week has established itself as an essential annual scientific event. This event serves as a true window of opportunity for curiosity and innovation, while offering hope to young girls and boys. She emphasized that science must be democratized and accessible to all, and must not be reserved for an elite.

“We believe that science should not be reserved for an elite, but shared, made accessible to the general public, and promoted in all our schools and communities. We want every child, every student, and every teacher in the DRC to be able to say: ‘Science is for me too,’” declared Raïssa Malu.

This edition is unique because the Science Village will not be taking place. The organizers have opted for a hybrid format. On the one hand, decentralized science events are being organized throughout the month of April in the country’s various provinces, thanks to the active involvement of networks of “catalysts”—passionate facilitators and teachers who raise community awareness of scientific culture. On the other hand, a series of flagship activities is taking place in Kinshasa from April 21 to 24. The Minister of State for National Education visited several schools in Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 22, to ensure that the activities were proceeding smoothly. Among the host institutions are Lycée Mgr Shaumba, Institut Gombe 2, Collège Saint-Léon, ITA-Mombele, Lycée Molende, Collège Mola, and Institut de Kinkole. In Kinshasa, the week kicks off with school activities, scientific conferences, interactive exhibits, and meetings between students, researchers, and teachers. It should be noted that this edition of SST is organized in partnership with the non-profit organization Investment People. The goal of this week is to stimulate interest in science among young people and to demonstrate its crucial role in the country’s development. Willy Kambulu