The Africa Programme is the foundation for a comprehensive formation, advocacy, capacity building and a process of social transformation strategy deeply rooted in Franciscan spirituality, regional and international human rights standards and social development instruments. The programme serves five regions (West Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, Madagascar and the Islands) of sub-Saharan Africa.  

Since its creation in 2005, Africa Programme provides tools and formation to enhance the efforts and capacities of grassroots Franciscans in Africa working for social change and strengthens the witness of Franciscans to justice, peace and human rights at the local, national, continental and international levels - particularly international institutions.

A progressive strategy of a leadership formation is provided over a course of three years (2007-2009). In each region, 35 - 50 selected participants are involved in the mobilisation and training of members of the Franciscan Family in order to ensure the consolidation, ownership and sustainability of the programme and its long-term vision.

At the end of each leadership training seminar, participants develop a year-long "plan of action" to organise local activities, advocacy initiatives and human rights campaigns in their region. These plans of action are revised and renewed during following sessions.

The programme focuses on key priorities including reconciliation and peacebuilding, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, poverty, responsible stewardship and Franciscan spirituality applied to social engagement.  

The programme aims to:

• Root Franciscan social commitment on fundamental spirituality of justice and peace from Francis and Claire;
• Provide opportunities to practise advocacy on behalf of the poor, oppressed and marginalised and promote healing and transformation at the grassroots, national, regional, continental and international levels;
• Train Franciscans in issues of healing and reconciliation and the development of communities of non-violence;
• Develop a culture of accountability by promoting transparency in accounting, reporting and the development of a spirituality of stewardship (use of funds within the Franciscan family);
• Enhance expertise in public advocacy in human rights, poverty eradication, fight against HIV and AIDS and promotion of healing and reconciliation;
• Elaborate primary and advanced research tools for social analysis and preparation of public policy recommendations;
• Strengthen capacity for networking between various entities and regions of the Franciscan family in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and the Islands;
• Develop networking skills with ecumenical, interfaith and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
• Develop methodologies for training of trainers to ensure sustainability of the Programme.

Background information

In February 2006, the Africa Programme visited the five sub-Sahara Africa regions. The objective of the visit was to support, encourage, exchange and discuss the basic elements of the proposed programme, solicit the support and input of the members of the Eastern Africa Franciscan Family in those regions and secure their commitment.

A follow-up programme was developed for Sub-Saharan regions to ensure the enthusiasm and commitment experienced during the initial meetings would be kept alive before the leadership training seminars began.

To achieve that goal, the Africa Programme:

• Prepared prayer material on HIV and AIDS and peace, healing and reconciliation and other materials related to Catholic Social Teaching for core team meetings;
• Maintained regular contact with our partners;
• Developed instruments to communicate the programme's goals to the full membership of their respective communities;
• Developed a list of the foundational documents of the Franciscan movement, the Catholic Church and other sources for the development of a Franciscan spirituality of justice and peace;
• Consulted with other faith-based and non-faith based groups to identify candidates who could provide training to those who will participate in the training sessions;
• Established guidelines for the selection of candidates to participate in the three-year Process of Social Transformation for the upcoming leadership training seminars.  

Statitics for 2007

• 226 Participants
• 20 Countries Involved
• 41 Speakers, including those from the Franciscan Family
• 5 United Nationa Agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and OHCHR)
• Various NGOs, Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs)
• 32 Different Franciscan Entities/Branches/Entities Represented
• 23 OFM Cap
• 22 OFM
• 14 OFM Conv
• 41 SFO
• 98 Sisters
• 21 Young Franciscans
• 2 Non Franciscans