The SIGNIS World Congress 2026 was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 3 to 8, bringing together more than 300 communicators, media professionals, educators, and religious from over 40 countries. For the first time, the SIGNIS World Congress was held in Africa.
The theme, Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Wellbeing, focused on the role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in serving the human person, peace, care for creation, and intercultural dialogue, while also addressing AI ethics, media literacy, disinformation, and digital evangelization.
The participation of three Daughters of St. Paul was especially significant: Sr. Rose Pacatte, who spoke on digital literacy; Sr. Anna Kipounamai, who moderated the Digital Media Literacy panel; and Sr. Joeyanna D’Souza, who spoke on digital discipleship and communication for communion. Sr. Olga Masango Jose and Sr. Mary Chantal Musabyimana of the EAMZZ Delegation were also present. The Sisters from Kampala also staffed a book exhibit, which was very well received by participants.
The choice of Rwanda, marked by the memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, gave particular significance to the Congress, highlighting the responsibility of the media to promote truth, reconciliation, peace, and solidarity.
The Kigali experience strengthened collaboration among communicators from different cultures and renewed the commitment of SIGNIS and the Daughters of St. Paul to communication at the service of humanity, creation, and the proclamation of the Gospel in the digital world.
