Youth Development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

DSC_0008_4Youth 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 […]

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Role of narratives in conflicts

Two men shaking handsConflicts: A Social Psychological Perspective
with special focus on the role of Narratives
 Rev Dr Sahaya G. Selvam
Tangaza University College, Nairobi
 Note: These notes are meant for class discussion
Social Psychology is a branch of psychology (as well as of sociology) that focuses on the cognitive (thinking), affective (feeling) and behavioural dimensions of human beings in their interaction with each other – in groups and societies.
Activity 1: Ask in pairs: “Who are you?” x 10 times
One of the foci of Social Psychology is how individuals draw their identity from their affiliation to groups (see Henri Tajfel and John Turner). There is a basic need in human beings to belong – this need is met by individuals being part of groups that they find themselves in or choose to be in:  Ethnic groups, religions, clubs, etc.  […]

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Towards Religious-Spirituality: A Multidimensional Matrix of Religion and Spirituality

Selvam, S.G. (2013). Towards religious spirituality: A multidimensional matrix of religion and spirituality. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 12(36), 129-152.
Abstract
In the contemporary study of religion there seems to be an exaggeration of the distinction between religion and spirituality, not only to the point of separation, but worse still, in terms of a superiority-inferiority hierarchy that gives rise to a value judgement between spirituality and religion. Could this be a sign of the persisting Western hegemony in the study of religion?  This article suggests that the consideration of religion and spirituality as disparate entities may be necessary in some societies but not sufficient for a global perspective. Could there be an integrative model that would lend itself for an inclusive exchange in the study of religion […]

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