Members of Guatemala-based Asociación Servicios Jurídicos y Sociales (ASERJUS) visit an agroecology farm which is part of the Suyusama program of the Jesuits in Colombia. ASERJUS, which works with Indigenous communities to promote a participatory economy, and Suyusama, which works with poor farmers, are part of Comparte, a network of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo: Comparte
The Board of Trustees of Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) has approved funding for 14 international projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America including ones that will strengthen Indigenous education, enhance citizen participation, accompany small producers involved in alternative economic models, and promote the integration of migrants.
The Jesuit-run projects, which total $1,006,504, address issues related to ecology and sustainable development, education, human rights and democratic participation, and forced migration.
There are five projects related to education, including one that will integrate Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge in 24 educational and three social centres managed by Fe y Alegría in five Pan-Amazonian countries. This project aims to strengthen the Amazonian identities of students and teaching staff through the lens of “integral ecology for social transformation.”
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection’s project in Zambia to promote good governance, citizenship and political participation was among three chosen to address issues around human rights and democratic participation. The project includes awareness raising meetings and “leadership for the common good” training workshops for community members, university students, and parish justice and peace groups and professionals. It will also facilitate meetings with government officials and community members to address social needs.
A proposal by Comparte, a network of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean, was chosen to be one of three projects designed to help advance ecology and sustainable development. The project will offer more support to small producers and strengthen the alternative economic models developed by its members in 11 countries so that they will be sustainable and have a greater impact in the communities where they work.
CJI will support the ongoing work of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) to assist tens of thousands of refugees who fled the conflict in Sudan, as part of its efforts to address forced migration. JRS South Sudan offers psychosocial and information support for refugees, and recreational activities for children, and basic physiotherapy.
The other approved projects are:
- Educational project (Moran Memorial School, Nepal)
- Pavilion and toilet facilities for girls at St Xavier’s Sadakbari School (India)
- Sowing seeds for social transformation (Jesuits Eastern Africa Province)
- Repairs, purchase of equipment, healthcare support (Hayden Hall, India)
- Ecology and sustainable development programs (St. Alphonsus Social and Agricultural Centre, India)
- Advocacy for democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean (Centro Gumilla)
- Accompanying community actions in the struggle for justice and social equality (ERIC-Radio Progreso, Honduras)
- Support for the resettlement of JRS staff who worked in Afghanistan (JRS International)
- Strengthening safe educational communities through training processes under the reconciliation approach (JRS Venezuela)
- Strengthening the local integration process promoting the hospitality and reconciliation (JRS Colombia)
