Advertisement

Catholic Higher Education Institutions in Africa Urged to Promote “climate justice, work tirelessly toward peace”

Fr. Patrick Mwania, Vice Chancellor Tangaza University (TU)

Catholic Higher Education Institutions across Africa have been called upon to take a leading role in promoting climate justice and working toward peace.

In his Thursday, September 5 opening remarks during the 3rd Annual Africa Conference on Service Learning in Nairobi, the Vice Chancellor of Tangaza University (TU), the Kenya-based institution of higher learning said that education in Catholic institutions should extend beyond the classroom.

“As institutions that shape the minds and hearts of future leaders, we have a profound responsibility to advocate for climate justice and work tirelessly toward peace,” Fr. Patrick Mwania said on the first day of the event scheduled to conclude on Friday, September 6.

Fr. Mwania added, “At Tangaza University, we believe that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but about forming individuals committed to justice, peace, and the care of our common home.”

“Service Learning is more than just a concept; it is a fundamental approach that allows us to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world impact,” he said

Advertisement

The member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) noted that the conference provides an opportunity to explore how the values could be integrated into curricula, research, and community engagement.

“As we gather here today, let us envision a future where our institutions are not just places of learning but beacons of hope, justice, and sustainable peace,” said the Kenyan Priest who was installed as the TU Vice Chancellor in August last year.

TU organized the two-day conference in partnership with  Uniservitate, a U.S.-based program for the promotion of service-learning in Catholic Higher Education whose objective is to generate a systemic change in higher learning institutions.

Organized under the theme, “Service Learning in Promoting Freedom and Dignity of Persons; A Call for Climate Justice and World Peace among Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs),” the conference seeks to transform teaching practices in Africa’s higher learning institutions.

In his September 5 remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution that was granted the Charter to become a fully-fledged university acknowledged with appreciation for being the Africa hub for the Uniservitate program which he said has placed the institution at the forefront of promoting Service Learning across the continent.

More in Africa

Other Catholic Higher learning institutions benefiting from the program include; the University of Kisubi in Uganda, the Catholic University of Central Africa in Cameroon, Mwenge Catholic University in Tanzania, Loyola University of Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Catholic University of Ghana, and the Catholic University of Malawi.

In his remarks, Fr. Mwania said the collaboration among Catholic higher education institutions is a commitment to ensuring that Service Learning becomes a cornerstone of higher education in Africa.

He underlined the need for partnership to foster strength for operation among Catholic institutions in Africa.

“Let us commit to building partnerships that transcend borders, fostering dialogue and understanding among different cultures and religions, and nurturing a generation of leaders unafraid to stand up for what is right,” Fr. Mwania said.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.