Nairobi — Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Monday presided over the official opening of the 55th Annual Round Square International Conference (RSIC) at the Bomas of Kenya Auditorium, Nairobi County.

The RSIC is an annual event run by, and for, students aged 16-18.

It is done on a rotational basis on schools around the world with students from different schools hosting each time.

The RSIC2023 is being hosted by Brookhouse Schools and has drawn participation from 1200 student delegates and their teachers, coming from 50 countries on six continents.

Speaking during the event, former First Lady extended a warm welcome to all the international delegates as they prepared to engage and learn more about Kenya and the African continent.

"Welcome to Kenya, I hope that you will feel at home in our beautiful country. We look forward to hearing about the unique perspectives you will bring to this important dialogue," said the former First Lady.

She underscored the importance of learning through participation in community service, exchange programmes and projects such as those scheduled to take place in the week-long event.

"We shall be seeing a bold and visionary generation rise up. You are a generation willing to take chances; to chart your own paths. You are ready to question, to experiment with new ideas, to innovate and ultimately, to build a better world," she added.

The theme for the 55th Round Square International Conference "The New Africa" offers the participants an opportunity to explore many ways in which the continent has evolved and is defining its position in the 21st Century.

Also present during the RSIC2023 opening ceremony were Round Square Chairman and CEO Kurt Hahn, World Marathon Champion and United Nations Peace Ambassador Tegla Loroupe, long-distance runner Henry Wanyoike amongst others.