METHODOLOGY FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION: LEARNING AND FACILITATING THE PASTORAL CYCLE.
Authors
Alberto Parise, David J. Ndegwah
Publication date: December, 2011
Pages: 200
Publisher: Tangaza College
Abstract
This book is the first in a series of a four modules cluster comprises the following: Methodology of Social Ministry, Social Justice and Advocacy, Christian Civic Education, and Spirituality for Social Transformation. In addition, the modules are introduced by a 5-day skills-building workshop training the participants in listening and facilitation skills and the basic tools needed in the action learning dimension of the modules.
The overall purpose of this cluster is to learn about the way faith based communities can make a significant contribution to social transformation. For this purpose, you will learn about the role that the Church is called to perform as a member of civil society and out of its own identity and social mission, and the methodology for doing it.
The modules are inter-related and are designed to facilitate transformative learning, which comprises three interrelated levels of change: learning new skills (methods and tools); expanding or constructing a new perspective on social transformation (giving you a bigger picture and a framework of reference for your field practice); and reconsideration of your assumptive world (the set of beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes) that inform your practice.
When instead we arrive at a change in our assumptive world, we construct a new paradigm in our life and practice. This requires unearthing and critiquing the assumptions, beliefs, values, and attitudes underlying our perspective or framework of reference. A change at this level means a new world view, a new consciousness of the world. This brings new practices, new power relations, and new social systems. A new consciousness and new social systems mean social transformation.
This book aims to explain the core concept of social transformation and the methodology of the Pastoral Cycle as a faith based approach to influencing social transformation in the direction of human dignity, social justice, the common good, and a sustainable future. The book will also give you the basic tools for using the Pastoral Cycle in your current apostolate or social/community commitment.
This course textbook comprises 7 units: the first two focus on social transformation and the Pastoral Cycle as a whole; they are followed by 4 units, each dealing with one of basic components or steps of the methodology, and finally there is a unit dedicated to the process and dynamics of community building. The challenge of this course is that it does not simply require you to learn about the Pastoral Cycle and practice it. It is designed to train you in facilitating it within your community or groups you are working with, so that they may become the main agents of their own transformation.
About the Authors
David J. Ndegwah is a Lecturer of religion and creative thinking at the Institute of Social Ministry in Mission, Tangaza Colege. He is also in charge of longs essay as well as academic linkage for institute. He has authored several articles in refereed journals and book chapters on a variety of subjects, ranging from cultural issues among the pastoralists to globalization and the challenges of war, peace and technology transfer in the African contexts.
Br. Alberto Parise is a member of the Comboni Missionary Society, also known as Verona Fathers, and currently serving as the Director of ISM, Tangaza College. He has a wealth of experience working among the pastoralists, in slums and among the poor. It is this experience that prompted to come up with the idea of writing a book that can be used as a guide in teaching modules at the Institute of Social Ministry in Mission in order to give students a hands-on experience of what awaits them in the field, and to move away from the current trend where the education system in Kenya is training job seekers rather than job creators.