Africa Faith And Justice Network

THE AFRICA FAITH AND JUSTICE NETWORK, INSPIRED BY THE GOSPEL AND INFORMED BY CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, SEEKS TO EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE FOR JUST RELATIONS WITH AFRICA AND TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRICAN PEOPLES AS THEY ENGAGE IN THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE, PEACE, AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION. WE PROVIDE EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY SKILLS TRAINING ABOUT AFRICA, ON FAITH, PEACE, JUSTICE ISSUES, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, AND JUST GOVERNANCE. WE WORK TO INFORM AND MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INTERNATIONALLY, IN AFRICA.

AFJN MEMBERSHIP REMAINS COMMITTED IN FAITH TO ADVOCATE IN WASHINGTON DC FOR US RELATIONS WITH AFRICA THAT FOSTER JUSTICE AND PEACE AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ACROSS THE US ON THE TRUTH ABOUT AFRICA. ON ISSUES OF FAITH AND JUSTICE IN AFRICA, WE SENT COMMUNICATIONS TO MEMBERS LAST YEAR BY MAIL AND IN PRINT. AFJN WROTE ARTICLES FOR OUR WEBSITE, ISSUED PRESS COMMUNICATIONS, HELD EVENTS ON TIMELY US-AFRICA TOPIC. WORKED WITH PARTNERS, COALITIONS, AND NETWORKS, BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS, EDUCATED INTERNS, CONGREGATIONS, PARISHES, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PUBLIC.

COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION ON JUST GOVERNANCE: AFRICAN BISHOPS HAVE IDENTIFIED CORRUPTION AS AFRICA'S MAJOR PROBLEM AND DESCRIBE IT AS A "CANCER THAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF AFRICA'S DEVELOPENT." AFJN WORKS TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS. LAND GRABBING: SINCE 2008, FOREIGN INVESTORS, SOME OF WHOM ARE PRIVATE BANKS AND PENSION FUNDS, HAVE ACQUIRED MASSIVE TRACTS OF FARMLAND, RESULTING IN DISPLACEMENT AND LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD FOR MANY FAMILIES. AT THE REQUEST OF LOCAL PEOPLE, AFJN ORGANIZES WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES, TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND RADIO PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ABOUT LAND GRABBING, AND SUPPORT SMALL-SCALE FARMERS AND RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS IN AFRICA'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AFRICA: AFJN ASSISTS AFRICAN WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN SHAPING THEIR ROLE AS AGENTS OF CHANGE BEYOND PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE POOR. IT BUILDS ON THE STRENGTH OF THE SISTERS AS SERVICE PROVIDERS, MOBILIZING THEM TOWARDS CHANGING THE STRUCTURES THAT PERPETUATE POVERTY AND OPPRESSION AND INJUSTICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COUNTRIES. IT WORKS WITH THEM TO BUILD THEM INTO A FORMIDABLE FORCE FOR ADDRESSING THE CURRENT SOCIOECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ILLS.