Arrupe Center for Research and Formation (CARF)
1. Mission and Vision
The apostolic work of the Jesuits of Central Africa, based in Lubumbashi, CARF, is dedicated to promoting social justice, natural resource governance, and human development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Our mission is organized around four core commitments: conducting research on mining issues, environmental justice, and human rights; training young individuals and leaders to foster a more equitable society; supporting communities in their sustainable development initiatives; and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations. Our vision, as delineated in our updated 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, is to establish ourselves as a center of excellence in Africa for action research and comprehensive training. We aim to foster a society where human dignity and the safeguarding of our “Common Home” are prioritized over unregulated resource exploitation, by encouraging strategic thinking on sustainable development and good governance in service to the inhabitants of Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, and the entire Democratic Republic of Congo.
2. Experience and Perspectives: A Lesson Learned
A significant lesson we have gleaned is that advocacy remains delicate unless it is rooted in independent scientific evidence. In this context, our collaboration with mining communities in Katanga has imparted an essential truth: justice cannot be mandated from an authoritative level; rather, it is constructed in partnership with those who endure injustice. Our research, training, and advocacy are meaningful only when they reflect the lived realities of individuals in mining regions—men and women who often possess a deeper understanding of their rights than we do but lack the means to enforce them. The year 2025 represented a pivotal milestone with the acquisition of our Environmental Analysis Laboratory material. Our role is not to speak on their behalf but to walk alongside them, offering our expertise in support of their ongoing struggle.
3. Reflections of Hope
What inspires us and gives us hope is witnessing communities that refuse to endure suffering silently. It is observing women who, despite facing pollution and dispossession, organize community gardens and acquire new agroecological techniques. It is recognizing that, at the core of injustice, there are sparks of resilience and dignity. Because where life persists, hope endures. Our hope is illuminated by the vitality of Congolese youth and our potential for institutional transformation. Hope resides in this progression from vulnerability to autonomy, both for our center and the populations we serve.
Toussaint Kafarhire Murhula, SJ
CARF’s Executive Director
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