Who We Are

The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) is a diverse community of faith-inspired Jesuit NGOs working towards an Africa where people can unlock their full potential, free from direct, cultural, and structural violence. Our mission is to realize:

  • A Just Africa
  • A Poverty-Free Africa
  • An Ecologically Regenerative Africa

Coordination

We provide leadership, coordination, and facilitation to the JENA Network of fifteen (15) African Jesuit NGOs, development and advocacy organisations. We do so by:

  • Carrying out Network Projects, campaigns and tasks
  • Research, Analysis & Communication
  • Administering Network Funds

Representation

We are the interface between Jesuits in Africa on matters global policy in areas that include but are not limited to:

  • Social Justice
  • Ecology
  • Economy

Who We Are

In most common law countries lawyers have many options over the course of their careers.

  • Prosecution of Criminal Suspects
  • Advocacy in Administrative Hearings
  • Protecting Intellectual Property

Top Attorneys

Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge.

  • Oral Argument in the Courts
  • Research and Drafting of Papers
  • Client Intake and Counseling

Legal Advice

Application of principles of law to the concrete facts in order to advise the client what to do next.

  • Case Evaluation and Strategy
  • Analysis of Legal and Factual Issues
  • Mediation, Arbitration, Reference

Our Mission

We are passionate about Africa. We are dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustices around Africa empowering marginalised voices, communities and groups, and facilitating policy innovation. In all JENA’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to unlock people’s potential, exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J - Director JENA

We work to challenge unjust policies and practices and to promote the respect of people’s rights. JENA has an impact on ending the injustice of extreme poverty through the actions they take. Jesuits and their collaborators engage the work for justice through advocacy and in direct humanitarian work with the poor and marginalized populations like refugees and homeless people. The effects of small actions are not always obvious, but by working together specific and tangible outcomes are achieved. Jesuit voices influence world leaders and decision makers, and contribute to shaping our world.

JENA works towards a just, poverty-free and ecologically regenerative Africa where people can unlock their full potential, free from direct, cultural, and structural violence.

Our Faith gives us a moral compass and ethical guidance that takes us beyond merely the social, economic or legal aspects or requirements in any situation. 

Our rich African and world-wide Network can reach a vast array of populations and is a unique resource that we bring to the development agenda.

We are embedded in concrete social reality where we work closely with not only those who create and implement policies but also very closely with those who are impacted by policies or lack of them. Our work is evidence based and stems from our other organisations.

We have served the African social field for over a hundred years and have worked with partners, governments and institutions across Africa. We know the ins and outs of the African development and policy landscape.

Over the years we have built a reputation in research and analysis, in the field of development policy and social analysis and action that is recognized by many including governments.

JENA facilitates the establishment, extension, and strengthening of connections and relations among Jesuit organisations, scholars and activists from all over Africa, the world, across national, cultural boundaries and age barriers, passionate and committed to fostering development, justice, peace and ecological regeneration.

How we work

  1. Undertake research that enhances understanding of poverty, injustice, conflict and peace practices and leads to innovative policies and programs.
  2. Conduct training and education geared towards capacity building for individuals, organisations and communities in development, justice and peace work.
  3. Network with other organisations to continually add depth and breadth to our understanding and activism.
  4. Build global initiatives for development, justice, peace, sustainability and regeneration.

Our Areas of Impact

Governance & Inclusive Political Participation

The foundation of our work is our belief that poor and marginalised people can gain control over their own lives by exercising their right to political participation, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly and access to justice.

Rethinking African Development

Rethinking African development with shared prosperity and decent jobs especially for the youthAfrica is a land of contradictions normally termed the paradox of plenty. While the continent has very substantial reserves of arable land, water, hydropower and mineral wealth, most countries within it rank among the poorest in the world.

Peaceful Societies

It is established that conflict is a poverty driver and poverty itself is a threat to peace. There is a growing international consensus that governance, peace and security are important for development and vice versa.

Corporate Accountability

Business has a role in economic and social development if it is done responsibly and in ways that not merely focus on profit maximisation but on value creation.

Domestic Resource Mobilization

The promotion of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty require sufficient and the right type of finance. Over the last 50 years of independence African countries have by and large relied on Official Development Assistance (ODA) inflows and on external borrowing both of which have not brought about the needed development.

Climate Justice

Climate change is an issue of justice and protection of life. Climate change impacts disproportionally the marginalised communities and people in Africa. Climate change is an issue of justice and protection of life. It impacts disproportionally the marginalised communities and people in Africa.

Sustainable Food

JENA champions farming/ production systems based on agroecological and indigenous approaches that sustain food sovereignty and the livelihoods of communities in Africa.

Programs & Campaigns

What we are doing

6

Change Goals

21+

Network Members

46

Our Reach

6+

Employees

Contact Info

Would you like to support our work towards a just, poverty-free, peaceful and ecologically regenerative Africa? Please get in touch with us.

+254 20 3884528

Jesuit Africama House, 260 Dagoretti Rd, Karen, Nairobi - Kenya

info@jena.africa

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