The acclaimed Nigerian novelist and story teller, Chimamanda Adichie, needs no introduction.  Among her many themes, the danger of a single story stands out. The power of stories to communicate truths that are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to convey with mere words becomes clear. The story reveals a fundamental dysfunction in the blue-print of human consciousness, deep-seated prejudices and unrestrained hunger for power over others which we would prefer to keep in the dark. On the one hand, there is a defective human consciousness that resists the stories of other people because hearing them will expose the half-truths of our own story; on the other hand, there are the victims of the untold story, whose reality remains untold, as the story is founded on a supremacist ideology that is sustained by false arguments. Powerful media are engaged to spread propaganda that then becomes the story; the people are made to believe it and the victims internalize it. The victims’ part of the story is suppressed and never heard. This obliterates a very significant part of the whole story.

Read more … 1701 Looking at the Other Side of the Story in 2017

No church document of recent decades has been as well received as Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Sí – On Care for our Common Home”. His remarkable synthesis of scientific evidence, social analyses, theological reflection and spiritual vision has inspired countless people, especially those beyond the boundaries of the Catholic church. In response, a number of profound initiatives have been started by Christian groups, civil society organisations, the scientific community and various economic and political actors. While the list is long and the varieties of responses are really encouraging in some regions of the world, its  impact is yet to be visibly felt on the continent of Africa. 

Read more … 1612 Laudato Si´ - A year later

They fastest growing cities in the world are found  in Asia and Africa. However, to develop them in a more sustainable and socially accceptable way will be one of the greatest challenges for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. During the last few decades, hundreds of millions of people have moved from their rural homes into cities, especially in Africa and Asia. The available statistics are not reliable and vary considerably but what is certain is that the  cities in Africa are expanding at a breathtaking rate. In 1900, 5% of the population of Africa lived in towns, in 2000 the figure rose to 45%, and in 2100 it could be up to 80%. But why this drastic change? The reasons people leave their villages to move into towns and cities are manifold. They include poverty, conflicts, politics, population growth and climate change among others. AEFJN underlines that these are products global economic structures and calls for more proactive action from the international community to tackle these underlying socio-economic issues and now is the time.

Read more … 1610 Another Face of the Migration Crisis in Africa

The Duquesne University, Spiritan University in Pittsburgh, USA, has endowed an annual scholarly conference on the Integrity of Creation. The conference celebrates the Spiritan Mission of the University. The second annual conference is on Sep. 28-29, 2016. The event focuses on Protecting our Common Home, reflecting Pope Francis' appeal to all people to meet "the urgent challenge to protect our common home" (Laudato Si', 13). The presentations will be streamed live. Chika Onyejiuwa (Executive Secretary) and Jude Nnorom (a member of the Executive in Rome) will participate in one of the panels to highlight the activities of AEFJN. For information visit the website, www.duq.edu/ioc or contact the Conference Coordinator, Glory Smith (smithg@duq.edu).

Read more … 1609 Protecting our Common Home

Migration is, arguably, one of the most debated issues in Europe presently. Conferences and seminars are held to improve understanding of the phenomenon and how it has affected Europe in the last couple of decades. The European Union (EU) holds meetings with African leaders to develop common strategies on how to reduce the influx of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea, and the desire to exercise greater control of migration is said to be one of the reasons for the historic and stormy pull out of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU. It is still too early to map the impacts and implications of the Brexit for migration into the UK and the rest of Europe but it will be monumental. However, what is often forgotten in all this is that migration is part of the history of the whole of humanity, not just Europe.  Pope Francis underlines that the Bible as a whole recounts the history of a humanity on the move. Indeed, mobility is part of our human nature. Human history is made up of countless migrations… This is true both of individuals and of communities.

Read more … 1607 The Theatre of Global Migration: A Window into the African Experience

As one of the follow-up activities arising from our land-grab conference in Nairobi, the AEFJN recently partnered with other faith-based organizations and NGOs to co-organize a national conference in Nigeria to raise awareness on the potential consequences of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on the food sovereignty of the country. The conference drew attention to the monumental negative impact that GMOs will have on sustainable agriculture, environment, safe food, bio-security and the ripple effect on the rest of Africa. It was also an occasion to raise awareness on the gaps in the recently passed bio-safety law in Nigeria and its implications both for Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

Read more … Matters Arising: A keg of Dangerous Gun Powder

Within the framework of the universality and indivisibility of Human Rights, the Right to a dignified life is intrinsically tied to the Right to quality and nutritious food and the promotion of other Rights, values and cultures that enable citizens to continually and progressively live a more dignified life.  It therefore becomes a matter of deep concern when the African national governments subscribe to every International Development Program just because it carries the tag of food security when, in actual fact, the programs are targeted towards the looting of their resources and wantonly violate the rights of citizens. It is even more worrisome when African national Governments enact legislation that violates the Rights of their citizens in favour of European and American Trans-national corporations because they want to maintain relationship with “world powerful countries.” The whole thing flies in the face of real human development which is about authentic advancement of the people. The integrity of collective humanity demands that we continue to push for deals that respect the inalienable Rights of all human persons.

Read more … International Food Security Programs: Feeding or Bleeding Africa?

Talking about spirituality these days in Europe gives the impression that you are out of touch with life and immediately pitches you against those who want to uncouple religions from every sphere of human endeavour. Though the human elements of institutional religions have continued to rear their ugly head, the eternal truths and values they offer about the imperatives of justice and charity on the use of wealth and power for the common good cannot be eclipsed. However, there is an element in human nature that resists the imperative of justice and leads to behaviours that consistently and systematically violate the basic principles of Human Rights and international relationships. In the final analysis, the root of our present socio-economic and ecological crises are spiritual and ethical questions of life.

Read more … A Pathway to Solidarity

With the help of the German antenna of the AEFJN, we are happy to bring you our Lenten meditations for 2016. Last year will be remembered for its chain of social upheavals, such as migration crisis, the Middle–East conflicts, and terrorists’ attacks across parts of Europe and Africa. It will also be remembered for huge ecclesiastical and global institutional efforts made to address some of their root causes. The Laudato Si of Pope Francis, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the COP21 meeting stand very tall among them, with concerns that in many cases resonate with the concerns of the AEFJN. A common denominator, in all of them, is the imperative to change how we think and live for peace on our planet. The AEFJN network is delighted to contribute to this new consciousness through these Lenten meditations.

Read more … Lenten Meditations - SDGs – A new challenge

Since its publication in June 2015, the Laudato Si of Pope Francis has made incredible headlines and has provided a wonderful resource for international gatherings. Though the encyclical addresses a wide range of very crucial interconnected social-ecological issues, its gravitation toward the centrality of Human beings and the preservation of the integrity of creation is most evident. Inspired by the encyclical, the AEFJN co-organized a Pan-African conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on land grabbing and good governance in Africa. A representative of the Kenyan government from the Department of lands who attended the opening ceremonies startled the participants when he called on the participants to LOOK AT BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.

Read more … Looking at both sides in 2016 with Pope Francis

The UK antenna of the AEFJN held an event in November in which the International Secretariat of the network in Brussels participated.  The theme of the event was: IT’S NOW OR NEVER; CARING FOR CREATION, CARING FOR HUMANITY.  Among other things, it was an occasion to awaken greater sensitivity to the potential implications of an unambitious outcome of COP21 for Africa and the global community, ranging from food insecurity and malnutrition in the global south to a critical new wave of migration, terrorism and insecurity in the global North - and all forms of natural disaster occasioned by ecological disequilibrium. The antenna considers the COP21 conference which begins in Paris on November 30 to be the fight of our life in which each and every person must be involved so that the usual desires and ambitions of business corporations do not prevail again at the expense of creation and humanity. 

Read more … Penny Wise, Pound Foolish: a Counter-Productive Philosophy

The habit of business corporations of spoiling initiatives for the well-being of people and the planet can be seen again in the outcome of the so-called "Addis Ababa Action Agenda". This was a meeting held in Ethiopia in July on Financing for Development (FfD). The AAAA was far from ambitious in its plan to transform the structures of poverty into structures of life for humans and the earth.  The international community had hoped that an ambitious outcome would be a major driver for the realization of post-2015 SDGs and a pointer to the COP21 in Paris. The failure to produce an ambitious strategy is an indication that the UN is presenting her new wine in old wine skin and your guess as to what will happen to the post-2015 SDGs is as good as mine. The cabal of the business world has once again asserted its power. It has to be said, though, that the outcome did not come as a surprise to the NGOs because the heart of the business corporations was pumping in its habitual way throughout the meeting.

Read more … New Wine in Old Wine Skin

In June this year, Pope Francis published the encyclical Laudato Si that has proved to be a major landmark in the social teachings of the Church on ecology.  The encyclical has overwhelmingly drawn the attention of the international community because the Pope courageously addresses the critical issues such as climate change and its impact and calls for a radical change of attitude in caring for the Earth our common home.  We at the AEFJN consider the encyclical a document that must be internalized by every man or woman of good will. In furtherance of this vision, the German antenna of AEFJN has worked assiduously to break it into a series of meditations for easier understanding and group animation. We are delighted to serve you this precious meal weekly so that, enriched by it, you will feel empowered to take action for justice to protect the Earth, our common home. 

Read more … Meditations on Laudato Si

Guided by Christian values and ethos, the AEFJN strives to promote equity and economic justice in the relationships between Europe and Africa. AEFJN enjoys the practical experience of the Africa situation at the grassroots through her network of missionaries who regularly investigate the impact of the EU policies on the local population. Our advocacy is thus fact-based. However, experience has taught us that dealing with the European Commission officials and parliamentarians as well as the national governments in the world of empirical sciences and evidences requires documented and relevant data beyond those presented by the business world that are only out to justify and defend their profits. This does not suggest that such data always automatically elicit the desired political response. Bu we underline that it is a moral imperative for economic policies to be life-giving otherwise they become veritable instruments of death. It is to this level of consciousness that we invite the EU policy makers through our fact based advocacy. 

Read more … 1507/08 AEFJN Advocacy is Fact Based

Read more … Distress call in the face of the massacres in Béni (DRC)

As the preparations for the 3^rd Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) in Addis Ababa progresses, the nations of the South are on edge, holding their breath and wondering what financial policy framework will emerge for adoption in pursuance of  the Post 2015 Development agenda. It is not sufficient to have an ambitious agenda, there must be a corresponding robust financial framework to support it, otherwise the Post 2015 becomes one of those UN empty rhetorics. The agenda presents a wonderful vision of paradigm shift for people and the earth but what is still needed is the political will to carry out the agenda. The outcome of the FfD conference is indeed crucial not only for developing nations’ quest to break yokes of poverty but also for peace and security of the developed nations.

Read more … Addis Ababa 2015: Has The Time Come?

The UN must stand on the intrinsic dignity of the human person as it continues the discernment for a post-2015 development agenda. As a matter of fact, the agenda should aim at more solidarity among the nations of the world in the face of so many threats to our corporate existence as a race. The current development plans which began in 2000 with its agreed wonderful MDGs of poverty alleviation, education, gender equality and women empowerment, child and maternal health, reducing HIV/AIDS and building global partnership development will come to an end in this year. The capitalist economic model devoid of solidarity has greatly undermined its success and the result is the worsening economic inequalities [1]. We at the AEFJN are keen on seeing the lessons learned duly appropriated in the setting out of a post-2015 development agenda.

Read more … 1505 The UN 2015-Post Development Agenda

The first quarter of 2015 has been marked by disasters in the Mediterranean Sea.  Several vessels carrying migrants looking for a better future sunk with barely any survivors. The standard policy response to these crises over the years from the EU and its member states has been to strengthen border controls. Once more, the European Unions’ state leaders have rushed to take action, and the 10 point plan of the EU to deal with the crisis focuses AGAIN primarily on stepping up border security, while little or no attention is given to the root and actual causes of migration such as political and humanitarian crises, poverty and inequality. We share the indignation of European leaders regarding the latest disaster in the Mediterranean; however, we sincerely hope that they will have the same indignation when analyzing their economic policies towards developing countries, like  for example the current legislation on conflict minerals under discussion.

Read more … 1505 Selective indignation?

The next couple of months will witness decisions that will plunge Africa into greater wars and conflicts, poverty and environmental degradation or launch Africa on the path of socio-economic integration with the big north. The EU Parliament is currently debating on the sourcing of conflict minerals in Africa. In its present form, the proposed text has no binding regulations on the Corporations to investigate their supply chain contrary to what the US has done. It presents a window dressing to the resolution of the conflicts in Africa precipitated by the extraction of resources by European Corporations. At the same time the EU is pushing to fast tract the EPAs (Economic Partnership Agreements with the different economic block of Africa) without the usual process of ratification by the Africa national parliaments. Africa is certainly dissatisfied with the lob-sided form of the trade agreements and lefts in this form, the EPAs would not see the light of the day through the African national parliaments.

Read more … 1504 A Tale of Two Cities

The recent address of the Holy See to the Third United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights is very insightful. It underlines the centrality of human beings with their Dignity and Rights in all business activities. While it is good for the business corporations to pursue their legitimate profit, it should be done with a dual consideration for the common good and the tenets of Universal Human Rights standards. In the same vein, Amnesty International identifies Human Rights as an indispensable foundation for truly transformative post 2015 development agenda. These are salient observations in the wake of massive land grabbing ravaging Africa and the gun point trade agreements going on between Europe and the various economic blocks of Africa. Each of them is a violation of African peoples’ Rights to land and to self-determination.

Read more … 1502 Economics of Inequalities And Inequalities of Economics

2014 was a very eventful year for the AEFJN network and most of the events were reviewed at the November 2014 AGM. The year ended with a successful International Conference held at the European Parliament. Holding these two important events in our hands, we are strengthening and modifying our strategies in further realization of the 2014-2018 Action Plan. We underline that what is important is not how bad things are now but our vision of building a more just society and the trust that our activities in Brussels, the national antennae and elsewhere are part of the unfolding of this goal.

Read more … 1501 Looking to the Future with AEFJN…

Growth is about necessary changes which occur in our lives. Psychologists call such changes transitions but the name does not really matter. What is important is that we recognize them and welcome them both in the lives of individuals and organizations. My sense is that such a growth is quite imminent in AEFJN or better still, has started taking place. It is a growth from being a Europe-based organization helping Africa out of the purgatory of poverty to Africa and Europe working together to serve the needs of each other in justice and in truth. What Africa needs from Europe is a relationship of mutual respect for our collective humanity, empathy and restorative justice; not help. In my opinion, this basic attitudinal and practical change is critical for the vitality and continued effective service of the NETWORK.

Read more … 1412 Now is The Time

The church is rich in works of mercy: the hospitals, clinics, health centres, adoption and foster care, food collection, emergency services, social works and counselling services among others. But as important as these services are, they seem to cover and endorse the unjust structures of the society. This reflection suggests that moving beyond charity and sacred ministry to embracing advocacy will be a more viable way to make the gospel message come alive in our world. The capacity to confront unjust structures requires not only an inner journey and transformation of the human consciousness but also a more pragmatic understanding of the most basic Christian doctrines which we often take for granted.  A conscious love produces compassion and solidarity in the world while fearfulness produces violence and domination of every kind. Pope Francis has also called Christians to display concern for the building of a better world through influence on societal life.

Read more … 1410 From Charity to JPIC Advocacy

AEFJN settles back into Ordinary Time with the news that Pope Francis will visit the European Parliament on November 25 at the invitation of its president Martin Schulz. The pope’s visit comes in the midst of turbulent times in international politics with multiple and divergent crises such as the Ebola epidemic. Thousands of African people have been affected by the eruption of Ebola. However, the work of the Health Security Committee of the EU has focused more on prevention of cases of Ebola within its own borders through measures such as medical evacuation; equipping EU hospital structures to respond to eventual cases in Europe and advice to travellers rather than economic aid, prevention and treatment in Africa. The international community is worried about the Ebola crisis, but paradoxically the EU ignores the consequences of imposing its economic power via Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that are likely to perpetuate underdevelopment in Africa.

Read more … 1409 Coming Back to Ordinary Time

Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala reflects on the morality needed to spur Africa’s development. The African continent  has  fought  mighty  battles  championing the  cause  of  freedom. Yet Africans continue to suffer even at the hands of their own kith and kin. The problem of Africa is Africa’s moral capacity to do right by Africa. The decline of moral consciousness renders accountability moribund. Has Christianity anything to resolve this moral impasse? have we addressed the question of Christ incarnation in Africa effectively. Can Africa echo Christ’s words “I have not come to destroy, but to fulfil”. Yet the gift of UBUNTU that Africa can offer to the world demands that we embrace and assert the fact of the unity of the human race. 

Read more … 1405 - Morality and Africa's Development

During Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on our lives and motivation as Christians. During this time we are invited to open our hearts to the needs of the poor and reflect on why the current economic system is not adequate to get rid of poverty. The economic model is based on assumptions that economic growth and free market will lead to greater justice and inclusiveness; however, in reality inequality increases and the poor remain excluded. The Pope warned about a globalization of indifference that is taking root and that ignores the outcry of the poor and almost legitimises a selfish economy of exclusion and inequality (Evangelii Gaudium, 53-54). A lack of solidarity characterizes the global economic system, concentrating resources and riches in the hands of a few corporations that seemingly have taken over governments and parliaments. In the meantime the poor continue to lose resources and livelihoods via unjust economic structures that lead to illegal exploitation of natural resources and land grabbing.

Read more … ‘No’ to an economy of exclusion

Read more … Family farming an alternative response to the crisis

Numerous Africans leave their families and home as they search for a better life for themselves and their close ones. They decide to risk a journey that could cost them their life rather than stay and suffer economic injustice in their country of origin.  Unfortunately, it is hard for them to free themselves from economic injustice.

Read more … Escaping from Economic Injustice

The resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations adopted on September 27 forces the regime of Bashar al-Assad to destroy all chemical weapons stockpiles. This resolution puts an end to a period of tension in which President Obama has suggested that the international community had a moral duty to invade Syria to release its population. Calling for justice for the victims is emotionally appealing, but at the same time there are thousands of victims of economic injustice. 

Read more … 1429 Reasons for Hope for Peace

The concept of collective common goods, managed by the community and accessible to all its members, is found in the Bible. Alongside the vision of common goods at a global level, they present a possible alternative to today’s dominant neoliberalism. On the global scale, their management and accessibility would have to be regulated by a democratic global body that would guarantee the sustainability of the resource and the collective right to make use of it.

Read more … Common/Public Goods, an alternative to neoliberalism

At the African bishops meeting of SECAM in Kinshasa, the Bishops called upon the political leaders of the continent to work not in their own interests, but for the benefit of the entire African population. They also invited Africans to commit themselves urgently to the struggle for a just social order and to enable the rights proper to human dignity to be enjoyed by all, in all areas of life.

To print: Final Homily of Bishop Portella - SECAM Kinshasa

Read more … Final Homily of Bishop Portella - SECAM in Kinshasa

My Brothers and Sisters, we gather around the altar of the Lord this afternoon, as members and delegates of the Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network, to celebrate twenty-five years of witnessing to the life of the Church and carrying out her mission in our "faith and Justice Network".  As such members and delegates of "faith and justice network", we seek to witness to and, so, live a faith that does justice.

Read more … AEFJN Homily - Cardinal Turkson

Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, President Council for Justice and Peace:  "We will begin with roots and routes revealed in the Old Testament and culminating in Jesus Christ. Then, making the Mission of Christ our own, we see how the three Synods we're looking at - 1971,1994 and 2009- underpin and give direction to the justice minitries of the Church in and for Africa. Finally, we notice what this anniversary reflection indicates about future Christian evangelization for Africa and beyond."

Read more … Roots and Routes of Justice Ministry in Africa

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of freedom and liberation. The liberation is primarily a release from all kinds of personal, economic, political, social or cultural bondage. These forms of slavery are obstacles that prevent men and women from living with dignity and from making decisions as full human beings. When men and women choose freely their own ways, unfortunately their decisions are often influenced by the unfair circumstances and structures that prevail.

Read more … Towards Personal Responsibility in a World of Injustice

‘Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8). Acting justly – political conversion – is concerned with society’s organization: how wealth, power, privileges, rights and responsibilities are distributed. Justice is helping the poor, understanding how society is structured to give unfair advantages to certain groups, and correcting these injustices. It’s helping the poor to experience God as their God.

Read more … Spirituality and Justice

 100923 Teaching uMunthu for global peace

Read more … 100923 Teaching uMunthu for global peace

 Mumemo Declaration Mozambique Justice and Peace - A New Pentecost for Africa

Read more … Mumemo Declaration JP - A New Pentecost for Africa

A New Pentecost of opportunities!

“The need for reconciliation on the continent is today more urgent than ever.” The Synod sees this “African Reconciliation Project” as a “New Pentecost” to regenerate and invigorate the African people, and indeed the whole human family in the path of genuine reconciliation, justice and peace. However, for it to be successful everyone who has Africa at heart must be engaged; for a heart full of love always has something to give.

Read more … The African Reconciliation Project: The role of Missionary Institutes

It has now become commonplace to think of reconciliation in terms of individual reconciliation and social reconciliation.  The definition of social reconciliation in the Propositions from the Synod for Africa is more extensive

Read more … Justice and Reconciliation

Africa is a continent of great variety and diversity of situations of both Church and Society.

Read more … Prophetic role of the Church in African Society

Read more … Propositions 2nd Synod for Africa

Read more … Theological Reflection on Justice and Peace