02 JCAM 2023 Annual Review Le琀琀er from the Editor Anastasia Makunu - Development Communications Officer, JCAM Welcome to this 6th edition of the JCAM Annual Review for 2023! In introducing this review allow me to ponder a little bit about where we are - Africama House in Nairobi. You see, this ecological spot is not only where big ideas are developed and implemented but it is a community. And as a community often does in Africa, there are places of baraza [Swahili word for gathering] - one of those is what we call the “java chai” [outdoor coffee and tea space]. It is in this serene space that my colleagues and I gather often. As we enjoyed the morning tea, tilting our heads almost in unison towards the warmth of the sun peeking through the trees, the subject of Final Vows was not just one to pass off quickly. Questions like “Are the First Vows after two years of Novitiate not enough?” “Isn’t a Jesuit priest already ordained?” “Why a fourth vow?” Inside these pages is a short report on the Final Vows celebrated towards the end of 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia and Arrupe Jesuit Community, Harare, in the Jesuit Southern Africa Province. The scope of JCAM’s work is well reflected in this issue - one of dedication to God and to God’s people. We are grateful for the advocacy work carried out by the Justice and Ecology Office – JENA, on the grand international stage of world leaders’ gatherings: the World Bank and IMF, the 78th Session of United Nations General Assembly; and COP28. In the field of HIV/AIDS, the African Jesuit Aids Network steered to a new frontier - Sierra Leone where a training of 53 young people took place to mark the launch of the AJAN AHAPPY Programme. The work of Safeguarding six years on from its JCAM-led beginnings continues to be implemented in the various programmes across the six provinces and one region of JCAM. The Synod on Synodality held in Rome in October was a major event for us, seeing the participation of some of the members of the African Synodality Initiative, all well-known to us here in JCAM, bringing diverse voices within the Church to the big table. Featured is also the work of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa, which continues its important mission with support from many people of goodwill. And, finally, we also get to see the importance of the work of the Development and Communications Office, one of collaboration and networking, in response to Father General’s call. As you enjoy the stories inside, I will leave you with this African proverb “Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs.” For us, our song is for the greater glory of God! Happy reading! Anastasia Makunu - Development Communications Officer, JCAM
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