In February, Le Centre de Formation à la Justice et à la Paix (CFJP, Justice and Peace Training Center) developed curriculum for the new French-language theological program.
While Anabaptist-centered theological education is offered around the world, it is largely absent from French-language theological programs. Le Centre de Formation à la Justice et à la Paix (CFJP, Justice and Peace Training Center) is changing that.
About 20 researchers and practitioners, who specialize in justice and peace in the French-speaking world, gathered at Université de l’Alliance Chrétienne d’Abidjan (UACA, University of the Christian Alliance of Abidjan) in Ivory Coast, February 23-25, to prepare the curriculum for CFJP. Focusing on restorative justice, conflict resolution and peace studies, the curriculum is the first of its kind in French-language theological education in the Evangelical-Protestant sphere.
"Peace and justice studies are largely absent from French-language theological programs in Africa, Europe and Quebec, though churches feel an urgent need for training in conflict resolution and restorative justice, as violent conflicts, societal upheavals and generational traumas increase," said Steve Wiebe-Johnson, Mennonite Mission Network’s co-director for Africa and Europe.
In response to this need for peace and justice training, many of the theological schools in the French-speaking world have indicated their desire to participate in this program. CFJP has nine partner institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, two in Europe and four in North America.
The objectives of the Abidjan meeting included:
- Developing a common understanding of the needs of participating churches and theological schools, as well as the contexts in which they do ministry.
- Identifying gaps in existing theological education.
- Choosing teaching methods best suited for the online format and students’ learning styles.
- Designing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the fields of restorative justice, conflict resolution and peace studies.
By the end of the meeting, participants had created a draft of CFJP curriculum that will be refined in the coming months. The completed proposal will be presented to member institutions by the end of 2022.
Funding for CFJP’s curriculum development comes from United Service Foundation and Deep Run East Mennonite Church in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
CFJP launched its teaching ministry in March 2021 with free online monthly webinars.
