Testimonies

The PURPAN Lamothe Campus is pioneering agroecological, energy, and food transitions through sustainable farming, research, and innovation. Its hands-on educational approach, cutting-edge technologies, and commitment to biodiversity serve as a global model for transforming agriculture to address environmental, economic, and societal challenges.

Christopher M. Bacon highlights the sad shift from natural agricultural diversity to tobacco monoculture in Nicaragua, highlighting the environmental and health impacts. He advocates for agroecology as a transformative approach to sustainable farming, food security, and climate resilience.

Venezuelan Amazon communities face severe climate vulnerabilities. In response, the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello launched a project to raise awareness through enhanced communication and community empowerment, helping local groups mitigate and adapt to climate change while resisting external exploitation.

Venezuelan Amazon communities face severe climate vulnerabilities. In response, the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello launched a project to raise awareness through enhanced communication and community empowerment, helping local groups mitigate and adapt to climate change while resisting external exploitation.

Bryan P. Galligan, a jesuit, reflects on his research into coral reef fisheries along the East African Coral Coast, where his work began with JENA in Kenya. He studies how sustainable fishing practices enhance both biodiversity and nutritional health in coastal communities. Snorkelling over a recovering reef, Bryan feels encouraged by the positive impact these efforts have on the ecosystem and local livelihoods.

Simón Pedro Martínez Jara, Jesuit priest and Director of the Centro de Estudios Paraguayos Padre Antonio Guasch (CEPAG) in Paraguay shares his experience promoting agroecology to care for the common home. Since joining CEPAG in 2022, his mission has focused on supporting agroecological producers, rural women, and youth in vulnerable areas. CEPAG promotes simple and sustainable lifestyles, researches climate change impacts, and promotes sustainable agriculture through initiatives like the MAGIS Youth Encounter and partnerships with universities. Simón views his mission as a gift, allowing him to contribute to environmental care and help local communities create a hope-filled future.

The "Slow the Flow Project" in Eugowra, Australia, led by ISMAPNG and Jesuit Care for Our Common Home, uses regenerative farming and natural methods like leaky weirs to prevent floods. Integrating Indigenous wisdom, it restores landscapes while building community resilience, aligning with broader Laudato Si' goals on environmental and social justice.

Xavier Solai (an extension of Xavier Research Foundation) was established in 2020 by the Jesuits of St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu, India to promote environmental protection, organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices among the students of St. Xavier and the general public. It is an agro, eco, biodiversity park spread over 25 acres in the college’s property at the Irudayakulam, V.K. Puram, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli district. It is a response to Pope Francis’ call through Laudato Si to protect our common home.

This continuation of last week’s article, “Unity in Diversity -– God’s Way of Farming” highlights the Jesuit Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre’s (KATC) active involvement in the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI), focusing on agroecology’s pillars of social justice, environmental protection, and economic viability. It explains the SKI Community of Practice, and its promotion of Indigenous seeds, biofertilizers, and local markets, while also addressing the development of responsible governance structures. As SKI steadily grows into a movement led by farmers, it aims to strengthen sustainability, foster collaboration, and drive positive change through local initiatives and youth leadership.

Chain-smoking, dishevelled, even hearing confessions in a bar: Fr. Martin Royackers, SJ, never ceased to amaze. According to several sources, he rarely made a good first impression. Yet this Canadian Jesuit with a razor-sharp mind was a strong advocate for human rights, deeply committed to social justice, and firmly rooted in his relationship with God.