The commitment of missionary and Religious Congregations in Africa in the field of education has been a hallmark of their evangelizing presence since the beginning of their presence in the Continent. Catholic education, to date, is still a major contributor to integral human development in Africa. No wonder, then, that some of the stories of hope collected fall within this domain. Education as such is not a major area of focus for AEFJN; nevertheless, advocacy work is about raising critical consciousness in people and decision makers, and also changing mindsets for social transformation. Systemic change, in fact, requires both a change in socio-economic structures and in the mentality that underpins them. As Redemptoris Missio put it (RM 58-59), the contribution of the Church to development is not so much in the building of physical structures or in the offer of technical solutions to social problems, rather by forming consciences.
The educational work that AEFJN members carry out in Africa has therefore a great significance in relation to the network’s advocacy commitment because it contributes to critical thinking and awareness and it gives people the capacity to speak and articulate their views. AEFJN International Secretariat, on the other hand, is committed to opening up spaces at decision making level where African voices can be heard. For example, the AU-EU Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) is a newly established platform designed to anchor meaningful involvement of civil society in the Africa–EU Partnership. Co-created in 2022 by around 25 volunteer African and European civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and grassroots movements. It operates on principles of transparency, equal participation, accessibility, inclusion, and autonomy. Its goal is to embed civil society and youth voices throughout the AU-EU decision making cycle—shaping summit agenda, policies, ministerial discussions, and Commission-to-Commission dialogue. It provides a formal, structured, and autonomous space for CSOs and youth to shape AU–EU agenda, participate in key diplomatic processes, and hold institutions to account. Its evolution—from proposal stage in 2022 to platform launch in 2024, and ongoing advocacy in 2025—marks a growing recognition of civil society as a central actor in intercontinental cooperation.
CSEM presents a pivotal opportunity to strengthen the Africa-Europe partnership by integrating diverse voices, particularly those at the grassroots. The historical imbalance in the relationship between the two continents shaped by geopolitical objectives and economic interests calls for a reorientation toward mutual respect, shared learning, and collaboration. CSEM offers a platform to address governance, peace, food systems, climate, migration, and human development through inclusive, participatory dialogue. It is essential for fostering trust-based partnerships where African and European actors engage at multiple levels to ensure that joint policy reflects local realities, empowers marginalized communities, and promotes social cohesion. By prioritizing collaboration over competition, CSEM seeks to address root causes rather than superficial symptoms, driving holistic progress in areas such as conflict prevention, agroecological transition, climate justice, and equitable migration policies. Through CSEM, civil society can significantly contribute to creating resilient, just, and sustainable futures for both continents.
In particular, last year AEFJN co-organized a significant AU-EU dialogue aimed at creating a more equal partnership between African and European Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), which have long played a role in fostering solidarity and advocating for justice in Africa. AEFJN recognizes the importance of FBOs as key actors in bridging the gap between local communities and international policies.
The discussions centered on moving beyond the elitist tendencies that have often characterized EU-Africa relations, stressing the need for more grassroots inclusion.
The dialogue called for decolonized development aid that fosters local ownership and empowerment. AEFJN advocated for trade policies that reflect the realities of African communities and that contribute to Africa’s long-term socio-economic transformation. By emphasizing the principles of justice and equality in Africa-EU relations, AEFJN and its partners have set the stage for more coherent and equitable collaboration moving forward.
The stories presented in this section give us more reasons to hope for Africa: starting with the subjectivity of African people, their resilience and creativity, which leads them to new beginnings in the face of the most challenging situations. They show how authentic human encounter evokes the deepest treasures of humanity, building bridges across formidable divisions, transforming mindsets and allowing a culture of encounter to grow.
