Conversations on the Research Network Africa and Madagascar

The original vision of the Research Network was to create a platform for joint and collaborative research among Jesuits teaching in the five JCAM formation centres, partly in response to Father General Arturo Sosa’s invitation to Jesuits “to form an effective network” and “to collaborate in the development of creative thinking that may propel the new age of Humanity towards social justice, dignity and peace.”

Over the research timespan, the project aimed to convene scholars from the five institutions to identify, analyse, and study a wide variety of issues in the African Church and society. This was the 4th edition and it was held in a blended format, with three participants joining virtually and six in person.

The Jesuit scholars presented ongoing research projects in a variety of theological and philosophical themes which were debated and critiqued in order to offer fresh perspectives and suggestions for deepening and furthering the projects.

The group was joined by Fr. Dorian Llywelyn SJ, the Director of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies (IACS) of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. The opportunity of partnering with IACS represents a new opportunity to take this initiative to a global level. The Research Network and IACS are actively planning some exciting and innovative programmes to realise this global objective.

Source: JCAM