Preamble

This symposium aims to illuminate the significant contributions of Catholic Sisters and consecrated women religious in various sectors, including education, ministry, healthcare, care for the elderly, and social services. Despite their extensive presence and profound impact in the Catholic Church in Africa, comprehensive research and documentation on their works remain scarce. This event seeks to address this gap by providing a platform for sharing rigorous research findings, personal narratives, and collaborative insights into their diverse roles.

We invite submissions that rigorously examine the multi-faceted roles of Sisters and their transformative contributions to society. Papers should reflect lived experiences, highlight the often “silent presence” of Consecrated Women Religious, and explore the broader implications of their ministries in evangelization, healing, education, and social justice. This symposium endeavours to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the relentless efforts of consecrated women religious, ensuring their stories are documented and their legacies honoured. Contributions that shed light on their invaluable, yet often overlooked, contributions to sustainable development are highly encouraged. Join us in this intellectual and spiritual endeavour to recognize and celebrate the enduring impact of consecrated women religious in Africa and beyond.

Subthemes

  1. Sisters’ Empowerment & Education
    • Sisters’ empowerment education enhancement
    • Professional development for the sisters
    • Artificial intelligence – contemporary reality (integration of technology)
  2. Recruitment, Vocation Promotion, & Formation
    • Training of formatters
    • Initial & ongoing formation
    • Formation policies and guidelines
  3. Care for the Elderly: Retirement Planning, Financial Policies, Insurance & Old Age Diseases
    • Common sicknesses among sisters and their management
    • Retirement plans
    • Psycho-social support for elderly sisters
    • Physical well-being
    • Aging gracefully
  4. Sisters’ Ministry
    • Social work & pastoral work
    • Governance, finance management, asset management & human resource management
    • Collaborative ministries

Important Deadlines & Submission Guidelines

  1. The deadline for submitting a detailed abstract (300 words) and full author details is September 31, 2024. Selection of papers is based on the abstract, and presenters will be notified by the end of October 2024.
  2. The full paper is due on February 28, 2025.
  3. Both abstracts and full papers should be submitted as an MS Word file by e-mail.
  4. Papers should be no more than 5,000 words, single-spaced, in Times New Roman, 12-point font.
  5. Papers should be in English.
  6. Papers should be the original work of the authors.
  7. Posters should be prepared and forwarded by March 2025.

NB: For those unable to present in English, translations will be available.

Attached is the Concept paper and Call for Papers for the symposium.