World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae

7th World Congress, Bujumbura, Burundi

July 22-27, 2009

“For a Better Africa – What have we Done? What are doing? What should we do?”

Report and Observations
by Andrew Horsley
Oceania Representative

Organised by the Executive Committee of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae and the Burundi Association of Jesuit Alumni/ae (ABAJ)

Bujumbura, Burundi

Burundi is a small country (population 8 million) on the coast of Lake Tanganyika which is a very long (700km) and narrow (15km) lake. It is the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Baykal. To the north are Rwanda and Uganda. South East is Tanzania. Across the lake is Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The area is known as the Great Lakes Region. Bujumbura is a rather dusty, large town, and is the capital of Burundi. At the Hotel Source di Nil where I stayed, there were representatives from Brazil, Mexico, Chile, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, France, Italy and Argentina.

The Organising Committee did a very good job. The food was satisfactory. There was an internet wifi connection, swimming pool and air conditioning. However, there was no hot water. Security was always an issue with armed guards at the entrance to the hotel. We were always accompanied by a security person in the lift. The lifts were quite dilapidated so the security person also functioned as a lift driver.

There was a good spirit amongst us. Everyone adjusted well to the conditions and all had a sense of adventure.

DAY ONE

Opened with a Mass by the Archbishop of Bujumbura, assisted by the Archbishop of Bukavu (DRC).
The Papal Nuncio to Burundi was represented by the Charge d’Affaires. Kiriri Campus, where this took place was established by the Jesuits in the early 1950’s. It was expropriated by the government in 1983. Negotiations are under way for a return to the Jesuits. It is a magnificent location on one of the hills about 5km above Bujumbura. In State hands, it has not been well taken care of.

Over 200 attended the Congress, with some 40 Jesuits present.

Bernard Thompson, President of WUJA from England handled his Chairman duties very well. French is widely spoken throughout Burundi. Bernard is fluent in French. All the sessions were translated into English and French. The Latin Americans were unhappy as there was no Spanish translation.

The afternoon was free time.

DAY TWO

We moved to the Lycee Saint-Esprit School in Burundi. Father Peter Henriot SJ of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Studies of Lusaka, Zambia, gave a wide ranging and thoughtful presentation on the topic “Africa – Our Potentials Outweigh our Problems“. It was on the theme of Hope. Father Henriot gave a very good account of Africa’s present position where there are some 1500 Jesuits. He posed the questions: “What have we done to better Africa?”; “What must we do?” He itemised the various problems associated with corruption and poverty.

In relation to Africa, he observed that Father General has already said of Africans that they are “very vital, intelligent, kind and joyful people who do not receive the attention that they deserve”.

His paper engendered considerable discussion. Some of the points:

• The Jesuit Alumni/ae is a force for good.
• There are issues of gender and of youth
• Youth are the present of Africa.
• Some of the actions which will put Africa in a better light are:
  1. more positive journalism instead of negative journalistic reporting by the West.
  2. intelligent policy
  3. scholarships
• Students, when educated in the US or another Western country, often don’t return to Burundi, thus diminishing the talent base.
• Fr Henriot has been in Lusaka for many years and is the only ‘muzungu’ or white man, at his Centre. He is backed up by 14 Africans. He asked “Why are the US Jesuit colleges absent from the Congress? “
• While bribes are not allowed in Zambia, facilitation payments are. It takes two to tango.
• “You Europeans have watches - we Africans have time”.
• Corruption and populism are the twin evils holding back Africa”

Group Discussions in classrooms

Tom Bausch (USA) was our group leader. The Congress provided abundant opportunities for discussion, not only in small groups but over meals and at other times during the day. In my Group there were 14 participants. There was a lot of richness in discussions given the participants’ diverse backgrounds. One discussion was around the support for a Jesuit affiliated University.

Day Two (Afternoon)

Father Frank Turner SJ – Director of OCIPE, (Catholic Office of Information Initiative for Europe) gave a presentation examining the dimensions of faith and justice. OCIPE was founded in 1956. Fr Turner spoke about the “resource curse”, where wealth leaves the country but problems remain.

• International players avoid tax and customs duty causing much wealth to leave the country. He identified India, China, Malaysia and Indonesia as the major offenders.
• Corruption is both offering and taking a bribe. At best companies “should stop doing harm”.
• OCIPE is seeking to enforce EU standards on European countries in Africa.
• Health of the population is a priority.
• The aim is to establish a fair and equitable relationship between Africa and the rest of the world.
• “NGOs are regularly talking to people they don’t know or understand.”

Discussion

• “Where has the money gone?”
• “Need to return to the drawing board and redefine and rebuild the terms of our relationship”.
• “As Jesuit trained, we need to start the initiatives ourselves and put above everything else education, ethics and role models”.
• “ICT tools are an immense help”.

Day Three

Presentations by Father Ferdinand Muhigurwa SJ and Father Rigobert Minana SJ of the Centre of Study for Social Action (CEPAS) “Regional Stakeholders of Peace and Development in the Great Lakes Region“.

Problems can be boiled down to

• bad governments
• tension around natural resources
• ethnic and racial background of the population.
• Colonialism is based on exclusion.
• Cold War Government structures did not assist, leading to endemic corruption from the period 1960 to 1990 with absence of human rights and electoral fraud.
• War is expensive, leading to the looting of resources and international organised criminality.
• Human cost has been 3.5 million people dead with almost the same wounded. This corresponds to 10 tsunamis and has been a greater disaster than Afghanistan around the region of the Great Lakes.
• “What are the key causes of the conflict?” Jesuits must ask this.
• People in power organise elections in order to win them.
• Mobutu, was in power 32 years. Strong leaders are often linked to major capitals in the Western World.
• Peace is a precondition to development.
• Good governance is the new phrase for development. This can be political, economic, mind and legal.

“Africa doesn’t need strong men, it needs strong institutions, based on institutional governance.” Training is required to achieve a transparency of justice.

A situation should arise when populations in countries jointly develop projects, e.g. electricity. All countries need energy. This applies to all sectors and helps generate revenue.

Comments and Questions

• Trace trans-border trade. Certification of produce and resources, e.g. minerals.
• Transparency of extractive industries.
• Bring a national and regional approach.
• Move around without visas.
• The Alumni needs support.
• What can be done to promote peace and reconciliation?.
• Promote good governance.
• Jesuits and superiors are asked to support the Alumni.

Proposition – “The Church is not present enough in the Great Lakes. The Church can convene. No-one else is exercising this convening power. The Society of Jesus could establish peace centres and an office in each country.”

What is the role of the United Nations in this country? One comment was a “position of arrogance”.

Sub-regional conference of the Alumni suggested this to be combined with developing a public advocacy plan.

Gathered together some kind of pressure can be applied.

What is the best socio-economic model?

What will be the place of women?

What is the analysis by the Jesuits here present of the sub-region

Speakers had dealt with issues in the context of positive and moral values and the Law of Love.

Need for an analysis of the resources of the conflict. Who profits from the war in this region?

Responses by Panel

The Catholic Church in the Great Lakes namely Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Commissions are working on peace and reconciliation.

With regard to corruption there is research analysis and different bodies monitor it. As an organ the need is to adapt solutions to a complex problem.

The issue is how to implement initiatives.

What type of leader do we want to train. “A man (leader) for others”.

Women must step forward. It is not for the man to give her the floor

The Government of Burundi has 5 Jesuit alumni in it.

An end of the cycle of violence after 15 years is in sight.

The role of the UN – “they do a lot but not enough. Look at their resources. They do very little on what they could do”.

Need to create a space for solutions. “Compared with Palermo (Mafia) and Northern Ireland our leaders are not the worst in the world”.

Group Discussion

The Church is very careful about getting involved. Lay men and women are getting involved in formation – this needs a lot of spade work.

Most people have no idea about America. Charism of the Society is directed at forming men and women for others. Spiritual Exercises are a great gift for any community.

Reports from Pre Congress Visits By Young Alumni/ae to Experiments and Projects relating their experiences:

Group 1

The Avega Association of Women, mainly widows, from the Rwanda genocide who have lost everything.

Now there are vocational classes for cooking etc.

It is a story of hope. We need to do something today.

Group 2

Irish ex students from Clongowes under Fr Michael Shiel SJ

Children are sometimes accused of witchcraft and abandoned by families.

Projects should not be a footnote to these Congresses every six years.

It would be nice to have a youth Alumni Officer.

Group 3

Belgian Youth spoke of their experience of joy and hope in the community they visited

Established a great connection in 3 days.

Hard for the “muzungu” to do various types of cooking.

Group 4

Work with Sisters of Mother Therese

Young boys and girls located in Kajaga on the border with Congo. Hosted orphans abandoned at birth. Care provided to malnourished children, physically and mentally disabled. 6 Sisters who supervise all the activities with a team of men dealing with the maintenance of the Centre.

Day Three - Afternoon 25/7/09

Fr Michael Czerny SJ , Jesuit African Network against AIDS, Nairobi, Adviser to the 34th General Congregation.

• 22 million suffer from AIDS in Africa. This is 2/3 of the world’s population with AIDS in the world.
• Stressed the importance of an ethical view about AIDS, combined with Ignatian spirituality.
• Looking at AIDS in a non-judgemental way.

There have been thousands of miracles - healed and helped others

Who will help others? AJAN – Jesuit AIDS Network has been very effective.

“AIDS is a disease of poverty and of hopelessness, of conflict, of suffering, of all the things that happen because we are countries that cannot produce, cannot export, cannot run ourselves well, are often at war and full of refugees, full of corruption. Africa’s woes are complicating factors when it comes to AIDS. Not by chance, it is the same for the other big challenges which we are talking about at this Conference: good governance, transparency and honesty, social justice and ecology. Without a strong ethics, both private or personal and public cultural, we are lost.”

Panel of Fr Bob Albertijn SJ, Prof Reginald Moreels, Christian Numezero, Dr Jean-Jacques Muyembe

Control of Pandemics

Ebola and Marburg viruses.

1976 – 1993 nothing was done. 1995 the Ebola virus re-emerged . It was chaos. “Virus doesn’t need a visa”.

Congo and Brazzaville - problems in the laboratory. Not high security in place to manipulate the virus. Touch blood or urine and you are contaminated. Most of the deaths were nuns who treated patients directly. Need to run diagnoses on the spot.

Professor Moreels expressed affection for Jesuit education. It taught him doubt.

Humanitarian aid is on-going.

Comments

• Political democratisation must be accompanied by increasing well being.
• Jesuit Refugee Service has developed much information.
• Jesuits have opened schools for displaced students.
• Bats may be the reservoir for the Ebola virus. Don’t touch dead animals when in the forest. Weak services means disease spreads further.
• The Church makes a huge contribution which contributes to the credibility of the Church. However, the Church is misunderstood and condemned for its efforts.
• Spiritual support can actually delay AIDS from occurring.
• Botswana much affected by AIDS. The economy has slowed down.
• However, the main disease that kills is Malaria which is easy to prevent and easy to treat.
• Mosquitoes are moving up in altitude. Ensure Mosquito nets are properly used.
• Road accidents are another major killer.
• Abstinence and celibacy are the most efficient way of preventing AIDS.
• Need to change behavior and attitude around JRS action in the field. Website is www.jrs.net in 50 countries worldwide.

Group Discussion

What should we do with Jesuit Alumni?

Education is the path. A plan of outreach.

Simple start – make the requests.

Africa is high on the agenda for the Jesuits.

Kiriri expropriated in 1983 - can be used as a Jesuit University.

Located in DRC, Burundi and Rwanda Great Lakes Region – encourage a meeting of the Jesuit players to investigate.

Cultural Evening at the Islamic Centre – Dancing, Drums and Repertoire

Day Four

Address by Father Adolfo Nicolas SJ, Superior General (the full speech is available through the Jesuit Counsellor, Fr Pierre Salembier SJ)

• This Assembly attests the universality of Jesuit pedagogy.
• Africa is one of 5 Apostolic priorities.
• Africa - with its vast human, cultural, linguistic wealth
• Ignatian schools here embrace this diversity.
• Interreligious - attitudes of respect, friendship and cooperation
• A superficial and erroneous view of God creates a barrier
• Collaboration leads to improvement in the spirit of Christian humanism
• Jesuits need to be formed in order to collaborate.
• Support for the Arrupe Foundation
• Justice for all
• Good education for all
• Natural contract
• Healthy and open environment for all
• Ethical life and hope for all

We exist without knowing why. That is why there are so many suicides.

We meet everywhere in different circles. Make our association more attractive to young people.

Presidents have been in for too long and losing contact.

Respect for the diversity of other cultures and regions.

Key Points

1. There is a lot of information but lacking deep analysis. We need to go deep in our philosophy, theology and mathematics
2. The world is ever changing. We need to contribute in a creative manner with enthusiasm.
3. We are a religious people. We live with strong spirituality and meaning.

We must be active, creative and collaborative if the alumni/ae name is to be changed. The Society of Jesus is open to the reflection. You have started. Deep conviction that Our Lord is working with us.

Observations from the floor

• Better prepare daily reading of experiments to keep them fresh. Mobilising sponsors, 10 participants per country. Open experiment for the alumni who are no longer young
• Follow up on experiments in the Great Lakes region, scholarships for the poor. Qualified medical personnel are required. Recommendation to the World Union.
• On the WUJA council, need for the young representatives plus committees from each region.
• Commit to review what was learned at the Congress.
• Ask questions pertaining to the consequences and how to work with our families in our social environment.
• Develop communications of our Association through our website.
• Define Mission Statements for the roles
• Maybe change names of Associations to better promote and attract youth.
• More chapters in the cities
• Standard acronyms throughout the world
• Contact Alumni on an individual basis
• Fund raising
• Participate in the projects
• list of experts by sector
• Organise, develop where possible young alumni groups, eg Great Lakes Region, Common projects, joint actions
• cancellation of debt
• Campaign against corruption

For the World Union

• Develop communications through its internet website
• Inform alumni what WUJA does.
• Jesuits who don’t know enough about WUJA and the general public
• Communicate quickly what WUJA does.
• Activity programs over the next four years
• Work at local, regional and international level
• Task Groups. Commissions on different regions
• Commit to collecting the Arrupe dollar
• Relationships between alumni and colleges of their associations
  Pastoral action, Choice of life, Social projects
• Promote exchange between youth itself
• Assist colleges and schools in selection
• Relationship between alumni and the Society of Jesus
• Inform and communicate more what the Society does
• Advocacy programs
• Encourage Alumni in supporting what it does
• Implement the projects that have worked elsewhere
• Proposal of implementing a University of the Great Lakes. Several positive notes

Congress Dinner at Kiriri – attended by Father General

Day Five

Council Meetings

There have been 10 meetings over six years.

WUJA can’t be a European NGO – we have an association in Taiwan. Therefore China will veto any application. No, we can’t be a European NGO either – we are a World Union. Skype is an effective means of communication.

Pushing Associations to stimulate the payment of fees. Request for the Arrupe Association. Next Congress meeting in Colombia in 2013 with the last week of August for the young and early September for the main Congress.

Day Five Afternoon Session

New Council announcements.

Medellin in Colombia.

Father Andre Cnockaert SJ, Associations Director, Kinshasa, DRC spoke about Christian Humanism.

“What is lacking? What have we done?. There is an impressive number of Jesuits here. This has been a Congress of Hope”.

Alumni social status of eminence destroys the weak. Need to be leaders in service. Strengthening of capacity to mobilise. “Yes you can”.

Resolutions

1. WUJA thanked the Organizing Committee and President ABAJ.
2. WUJA thanks the First Vice President of Burundi
3. What have we done? What are we doing? What can we do? Need to create a higher education centre at Kiriri
4. Young alumni are the heart and mind and understanding. Need to attract young to local organizations with projects and experiments. Umbrella WUJA organization. To help financially and emotionally and follow up on projects.
5. Quality education – choose own teachers.
6. DRC/Rwandi /Burundi – experience violence. Let people speak freely and frankly.
7. Congratulations on quality and evaluate 3 month action plans

Congress Conclusion and Cocktail Party

New Council Members
WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI/AE
Executive and Council

EXECUTIVE

President: Tom BAUSCH (USA)
Jesuit Counsellor: Pierre SALEMBIER SJ (France)
Vice President: Alain DENEEF (Belgium)
Secretary: Francois-Xavier CAMENEN (France)
Treasurer: Conrad GONSALVES (India)

COUNCIL

Africa (First seat): Gregoire BANYIYEZAKO (Burundi)
Africa (Second seat): Sina BURAIMOH ADEMUYEWO (Nigeria)
East Asia: Peter WONG (Hong Kong)
Europe (First seat): Eric de LANGSDORFF (France)
Europe (Second seat): Frank JUDO (Belgium)
Latin America (First seat): Pedro Pablo DIAZ (Chile)
Latin America (Second seat): Silvio PIZA (Brazil)
Middle East: Nagy KHOURY (Lebanon)
North America (First seat): Melissa DI LEONARDO (USA)
North America (Second seat): Vacant
Oceania: Andrew HORSLEY (Australia)
South East Asia (First seat): Ronald D’COSTA (India)
South East Asia (Second seat): Naresh GUPTA (India)

New Council met at 7.00pm on 27/7/09 under Tom Bausch, new President, following the Cocktail Party.

Some ideas:

1. Getting associations to pay their dues
2. Contact with the Assistancy in the United States
3. Develop a schedule of meetings and communications plan.
4. Need to have meaningful electronic meetings eg through Skype.
5. Meeting of the Council – after all resolutions submitted
6. Proposed meeting in Antwerp 5-7 March 2010
7. Evaluation and assessment of what we are doing
8. Keeping Africa as priority is uppermost

A Note on Ensemble Together Concordes

At the Congress it became apparent that there is a need to maintain the publication of ETC. There is enormous regard for Robyn Treseder by Tom Bausch, the incoming President and Bernard Thompson, the outgoing President . Also Fr Pierre Salembier SJ, Francois-Xavier Camenen and Eric de Langsdorff appreciate Robyn’s work with ETC. In discussion with Robyn prior to departure it appeared that Robyn could have been better supported. I explored the possibility of assembling an editorial panel from the major continents who could support ETC with Robyn as editor.

Below are those with whom I broached this topic and who are happy to assist:

Michael Bayard SJ, Director, Campus Ministry at Seattle University, North America

Dipo Sanjoyo, Indonesian Association of Jesuit Alumni Asia

Vincent Deroeck, Belgium – recommended by Frank Judo, Europe
Jose Mercedes Hernandez Rodriguez, Mexico – Latin America

Edmund Agorhom SJ, Associate Director of Development, Lagos,Nigeria, Africa

It may be worthwhile exploring this further with a view to seeing how it goes on a trial basis for one year. I am mindful of succession planning and spreading the workload. Next steps would be to seek the view of the Province then inform the WUJA Council and invite their response.

Fr Bob Albertijn SJ (Belgium) was busily taking photographs during the Congress. He should have some good images.

Finally

The Congress stimulated and provoked numerous conversations.

I happened to have a most interesting conversation with a young Jesuit, Fr Daniel Villaneuva SJ, based in Madrid and responsible for Africa. I understand he had a lot to do with web related matters for General Congregation 35. He understands internet based communication and the need to spread WUJA’s message. In our airport conversation, he made the point that he sees WUJA as having huge potential. The Jesuits are not fully aware of what it is capable of doing and WUJA could be better organized. He felt that the conference became too Africa-centric and perhaps lost sight of the big picture. He also volunteered that WUJA is not well organized in Spain. These are candid and useful remarks.

Five days seemed long. 3-4 days, I suggest, is a suitable length for the WUJA Congress.

Tom Roach SJ sends his greetings to all.

Personally, I am most grateful to the Society of Jesus for giving me the opportunity to attend this most valuable and informative 7th WUJA World Congress.

Andrew Horsley

Oceania Representative