Headlines articles

Advocacy, relying as it does on convincing the other party, is a non-confrontational approach in bringing about social change. To stimulate discussion regarding the benefits and challenges of doing advocacy in Africa, a workshop was held at the Manresa Retreat Centre in Kimwenza from 8 to 12 July. The 24 participants represented Jesuit social centres of the African Assistancy, the African and international social apostolate, the African Jesuit Aids Network (AJAN), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and their international partners: the Office for Social and International Ministries at the US Jesuit Conference, Spanish Jesuit NGO Entreculturas and the Jesuit European Office (OCIPE) in Brussels.

The experiences of the organisations as presented by their representatives at the meeting, suggest that the process of advocacy, which is a process of interaction between those in authority and those who have no voice, might benefit from Ignatian discernment. For the African context, three main themes were identified as priorities: accessible basic education, management of natural resources including sustainable agriculture, and peace building. (Source: Clementia Mwamburi, SJ Africa News)

Another international workshop which aims at defining the nature of Ignatian Advocacy will take place in Madrid, Spain, from 10 to 16 November 2008. Over 40 lay and Jesuit participants from all Assistancies will represent the diverse Jesuit efforts at engaging in advocacy around the world. The Social Justice Secretariat is collaborating in the organisation of the workshop and will publish the results in a future issue of Promotio Iustitiae.