I made a presentation at the 4th Theological Symposium held at Don Bosco Utume on 30th March 2015. The two-day symposium has as its theme: Consecrated Life and the Life of Youth. The annual symposium this year commemorates the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco – the Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, hence the focus on youth. It is also a contribution to the Year of Consecrated (Religious) Life.
My presentation brought together three elements: youth, conversion, and religious life.
Using emerging data from psychology of religious conversion of youth, the first part of the paper states some underlying patterns in conversion. The second part applies those patterns in understanding the dynamics of spirituality youth who join religious life. Attachment Theory is much used in the analysis. Implication of secure attachment and avoidant attachment on gradual and sudden conversion, and their possible impact on religious life is discussed.
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Month: March 2015
Youth Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
Youth 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 […]