Youth Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

DSC_0008_4Youth Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
 My presentation on 9 March 2015, at a joint teleconference between Institute of Youth Studies at Tangaza University College, Kenya and the Institute of Family Studies at the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.
The purpose of the paper was to provoke some discussion among the students of both the institutions.
Preliminary Remarks
0.1. It could come as a surprise to some of my listeners that the speaker this afternoon is not an African.  This is the advantage that scientific method offers us.  A person from anywhere could scientifically look at a global or local phenomenon anywhere using the methodology of science.  This said, having lived in two countries in the African continent for the past 23 years, and having travelled across the continent visiting at least 10 other countries, I […]

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Role of narratives in conflicts

Two men shaking handsConflicts: A Social Psychological Perspective
with special focus on the role of Narratives
 Rev Dr Sahaya G. Selvam
Tangaza University College, Nairobi
 Note: These notes are meant for class discussion
Social Psychology is a branch of psychology (as well as of sociology) that focuses on the cognitive (thinking), affective (feeling) and behavioural dimensions of human beings in their interaction with each other – in groups and societies.
Activity 1: Ask in pairs: “Who are you?” x 10 times
One of the foci of Social Psychology is how individuals draw their identity from their affiliation to groups (see Henri Tajfel and John Turner). There is a basic need in human beings to belong – this need is met by individuals being part of groups that they find themselves in or choose to be in:  Ethnic groups, religions, clubs, etc.  […]

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4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sermon – Year B homily: Meaning of Celibacy

heartdivided_2You give your undivided attention to the Lord (1Cor 7:35)
 Note: This reflection is based on the second reading of this Sunday.  If you wish to have a sermon on the gospel reading of today, click here.
There are some people who argue that priestly celibacy has no Biblical basis.  According to them celibacy is merely a later invention of the Catholic Church. It might be an historical fact that Catholic priesthood being compulsorily associated with celibacy would have evolved through the centuries.  At the same time it is not fair to deny the Biblical basis of celibacy.
In the first reading of today, once again we hear Paul evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of marriage and celibacy in the context of one’s undivided intimacy with the Lord.  Paying some attention to […]

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3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sermon – Year B Homily: Be not engrossed in the world!

hardy-water-lily-2Be not engrossed in the world (1Cor 7:31)
 Note: This reflection is based on the second reading of this Sunday.  If you wish to have a sermon on the gospel reading of today, click here.
The Word of God during Sunday liturgies, particularly during the Ordinary Time, has a pattern. This year being Cycle B (divide the year 2015 by 3, the remainder is 2, hence Cycle B) we continue to listen to the Gospel of Mark.  The first reading of the Sunday liturgy is usually chosen from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to match the theme of the gospel text. The second reading is normally sequential.  For now we continue to listen to the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.
The second reading of today may seem a little bit weird […]

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