A Centre for social transformation

About Jesuit Hakimani Centre

Jesuit Centre for Social Justice, Public Values, Human Rights, Legal Services, Advocacy, Research, Peace Building, Healing, and Reconciliation with the aim of being an agent for societal transformation.

Jesuit Hakimani Centre (JHC) is a Jesuit faith and justice centre dedicated to the study and action on issues linking the Christian faith, social justice and peacebuilding. JHC was first conceptualised as a Faith and Justice Network (FJN) in 1991. However, JHC was not set up until 2001. Since then JHC has been engaged in facilitating formative trainings to various groups; conducting thematic researches, policy formulations and influencing.

JHC is owned and run by the Jesuit Fathers registered trustees of the Eastern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus; and is part of a network of over 320 Jesuit social centres around the world with similar outlook and activities.

The name HAKIMANI is combination of Swahili words, which articulate the primary focus of our mission: HAKI (justice), IMANI (faith). As such, JHC can be described as a Catholic faith and justice centre.

JHC aims at the transformation of unjust structures in society through formation, research and influencing, so as to ensure sustained change for the better of all in line with their human dignity.

This process links Christian faith founded in the Gospel values and human actions that bring fullness of life to humanity. These values are articulated in the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church that consider human dignity to be an intrinsic right to every human person, and one that has to be defended, nurtured and sustained by favourable conditions of life.

Identity

The name HAKIMANI conflates two Kiswahili concepts: HAKI – meaning justice, IMANI – meaning faith and it incorporates the notion of peace – AMANI.  The centre is owned and run by the Jesuit Fathers Registered Trustees of the Eastern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus, and has operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.   It is a multifaceted, charitable, private, voluntary, non-governmental, international and non-profit organization that aims at the transformation of structures that shape society through in-depth structural analysis and education.

Strategic Niche

HAKIMANI is a research institution whose strategic niche derives from the justice motive of the Catholic Social Teaching, which favors working alongside the poor and marginalized to combat factors that combine to undermine human dignity; these include poverty, lack of education, lack of access to natural resources, bad governance, lack of economic opportunities and HIV/AIDS. Our strategic positioning in the Church enables us to influence the national governance agenda by providing support to the “House of Bishops”, the local church and other partner organisations.

"... the service of faith through promotion of justice..."

In the words of the Thirty-Second General Congregation: "The mission of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) is the service of faith, of which the promotion of justice is an absolute requirement. For reconciliation with God demands the reconciliation of people with one another" (4:2). Love of neighbour is inextricably linked to justice because love implies an absolute demand for justice namely recognition of the dignity and rights of one's neighbour. Justice attains its fullness in love. Justice is the first requirement of love and not just by being just in actions but by a commitment to the cause of the oppressed and of all victims of injustice. In a world where injustice flourishes, salvation must take the form of liberation; in a world filled with injustice, love must take the form of justice (Cecil McGarry, SJ).

JHC's strategic niche derives from the justice motive of the Catholic Social Teaching that motivates a peaceful co-existence. Our strategic intention is "... to reduce the poverty of dignity..." amongst our constituents. When people are deprived economically, politically, socially, culturally and spiritually there results a feeling of powerlessness and worthlessness that makes vulnerable and therefore, susceptible to manipulation and victimisation. The resulting desperation is breeding ground for violence. JHC works alongside the poor and marginalised to combat factors that combine to undermine human dignity; these include poverty, lack of education, lack of access to resources, bad governance, lack of economic opportunities and HIV/AIDS.

These objectives are achieved through cross cutting research that combines information gathering, social analysis and dissemination of outcomes to government leaders, ecclesiastical leaders, politicians, the media and civil society.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

The concern for social justice is not limited to Africa.  The plight of Africa has an international character and concerns the whole human family.  In the Society of Jesus Africa has become a geographical priority.  In response to this and cognisant of our international benefactors, HAKIMANI is fostering international partnerships that will provide logistical support and advance our agenda abroad.  These international partners include:

Washington, DC - Georgetown University

Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED).

Lee Sender III (senderl@georgetown.edu)

Lowell, MA – Kenya Catholic Community and Friends in Boston and Zawadi Foundation

HAKIMANI New England at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish.

Janice Njiru (jaybnjiru@gmail.com)Mindi Shenye (mindishenye@yahoo.com, mindi.shenye@philips.com)

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

Basil & Maggie (basil@melbsecretarial.com.au)