From 14–16 May 2025, the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) had the privilege of participating in the Social Days gathering of the Madagascar Province, held in the capital city of Antananarivo.

Represented by Esther Muraguri and Fr. Cyrus Habib, SJ, the JENA delegation’s visit was not only a gesture of solidarity but also a vital step in deepening collaboration across the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM).

Their mission to Madagascar achieved three key objectives: visitation, learning, and sharing, each of which contributed to JENA’s broader vision of a more connected, informed, and responsive social apostolate across the continent.

The trip began with a dedicated visit on 13 May to Centre Arrupe, the province’s flagship institution for social research, formation, and advocacy. There, Esther and Cyrus met with nearly all staff members across departments, receiving comprehensive briefings on ongoing projects and partnerships. From the center’s academic initiatives to its grassroots training programs, it was clear that Centre Arrupe stands as a vibrant hub of Jesuit social engagement in Madagascar.

During these meetings, the JENA team expressed JCAM’s ongoing support and openness to collaboration. Notably, they discussed the possibility of establishing a Laudato Si’ Fellowship at Centre Arrupe, an initiative that would welcome Jesuits in formation from across the world for in-depth study and engagement with ecology and justice issues from an African perspective.

The visit also included stops at EPSA Bevalala and the accompanying Jesuit community, further strengthening ties with local institutions committed to social transformation.

The main Social Days gathering took place from 14–16 May, bringing together Jesuits and lay collaborators for reflection, celebration, and planning. JENA’s participation offered a window into the depth of the Madagascar Province’s social apostolate, and provided valuable insights as JENA works to organize similar events across the JCAM provinces.

One of the key observations was the strength of coordination within the Madagascar Province. As a single-nation province, Madagascar benefits from closer proximity and shared language, factors that have helped develop robust networks among Jesuits and lay partners. This cohesion allowed the Social Days to move beyond logistical or structural concerns and instead focus on substantive policy issues, including environmental justice and Madagascar’s engagement in international forums such as the UN’s Conference of the Parties (COP).

For JENA, the gathering served as both a model and a milestone, an illustration of what is possible when the social apostolate is deeply rooted in local realities and effectively organized for regional and global impact.

JENA’s presence was not only observational but also participatory. The team contributed actively to the assembly’s discussions through a series of presentations:

Fr. Rampe Hlobo, SJ, JENA's new Director, was present through a recorded video message, in which he introduced himself and outlined the core mission of JENA as a network of Jesuit Social Centres in Africa. Esther Muraguri, JENA's programmes coordinator, offered a presentation on the structure and role of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, helping contextualize JENA’s work within the broader governance and support framework of JCAM. Cyrus Habib, SJ, ( a Jesuit Scholastic from USA, undertaking his regency under the umbrella of JENA) delivered a session on faith-based advocacy, grounded in scripture and focused on practical steps for engaging policy and public discourse.

The presentations were warmly received, sparking interest and conversation among participants. They not only introduced JENA’s work to a wider audience but also affirmed the shared commitment to discernment, networking, collaboration in the promotion of justice and reconciliation across the Society’s ministries in the Social Centres.

JENA’s participation in the Social Days of the Madagascar Province was more than a formal visit, it was a celebration of shared mission, a learning opportunity, and a meaningful gesture of fraternity. As JENA continues its work across the provinces in JCAM, these encounters will be essential in shaping a network that is locally grounded, continentally connected, and globally relevant.

From Antananarivo to Nairobi, from Centre Arrupe to EPSA Bevalala, the message is clear: we are many voices with one mission, working together for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.