CJI held its second orientation session for the study tour to Zambia on Saturday, May 10th at the CJI office on 1325 Bay St.

The full day workshop included a session with Fr. Jim Profit SJ, Director of Jesuit Collaborative for Ecology, Agriculture and Forestry (JCEAF), and Ecology Project coordinator. Fr. Profit gave an insightful presentation about Ignatian Spirituality, as well as an analysis of Agriculture and how its current structure and practice threatens the future of individual farmers and of countries, both Canada and in the global South.

Ackson Mooya SJ and Kelvin Mulengachonzi SJ, Zambian scholastics studying agriculture at Guelph University, also spoke to the group, and answered questions from participants on education, HIV/AIDS, and the current situation in Zambia. This was a great opportunity for the participants to be able to meet and talk to Zambian scholastics who bring a unique perspective to the issues affecting their country.

The day proved to be a very stimulating and fruitful event which left participants even more excited about the trip and with a stronger sense of commitment to issues of global social justice. CJI will hold one more orientation sessions on Wednesday, June 4th, before the group’s departure to Zambia on July 20th.

May 15, 2008