From April 22nd to 26th, 2024, the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), with Ms. Pascalia Sergon as its representative, participated in the Africa and Madagascar Popular Education Workshop at the Mwangaza Jesuit Retreat Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop, attended by more than 40 delegates from Africa, Madagascar, Latin America, and Spain, comprising both Jesuit and lay participants, as well as representatives from the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) and the Office of Justice and Ecology for Africa and Madagascar (JENA), aimed to enhance the presence of popular education within Fe y Alegría’s educational framework in Africa and Madagascar. The objective was to develop a conceptual framework for this initiative across the continent.

The work agenda included sessions dedicated to delving deeper into popular education: exploring its origins, philosophy, and identity to gain a better understanding of the African context and the unique characteristics of each country. Additionally, a discussion titled ‘Fe y Alegría and educational challenges in Africa and Madagascar’ was conducted, aiming to stimulate reflection on approaching popular education within African and Malagasy contexts, considering diverse perspectives, contexts, challenges, and needs. Finally, participants visited the educational projects undertaken by Saint Joseph Development programmes (SJDP) Centre to gain firsthand insight into the initiatives and activities being carried out in that area.

A pivotal moment during the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AOR Provincial Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, SJ, and Fe y Alegría’s Director, Fr. Daniell Vilanueva, SJ. This MoU aimed to enhance cooperation in providing education to marginalized groups. The interactive Workshop drew insights from Liberation Theology and Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. It explored ways of promoting democracy, equality, and justice through a liberating pedagogy of popular education at all levels of learning.

By, Mr. Dennis Owuoche,

AJAN Communications Officer.