Welcome note from the director

Welcome to the Institute for Religion, Governance and the Environment in Southern Africa (IRGESA) website. We are a flagship programme within the School of Religion at Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

 

The Institute for Religion, Governance and the Environment is concerned with the interface between religion, governance and the well-being of the environment as important factors in the development of democracy, and management of the ecological crisis in the African continent. In its work it also engages intersectional concerns of faith, democracy, land, and water and food security. IRGESA’s mission is to produce knowledge, disseminate it and mobilize communities for action. The Institute produces knowledge on issues around good governance and the environmental crisis and their implications for religious communities and the broader society as critical part of theological and religious reflection. The institute educates the academy, students, religious and political leaders, activists and the broader society on matters of governance, religion, governance and the environment. It also work with local communities by providing theological resources to community organizations such as churches, NGOs, FBOS and others to address these critical issues.

 

We are happy that you have visited our website. It is said that Africans are notoriously religious but at the same time their religiosity does not seem to help them when it comes to issues pertaining to politics and good governance. The aim of this institute is to create a forum where research, teaching and learning interface with issues of religion, governance and the environment can be studied. Over the years we have hosted a number of workshops, symposia, lectures and seminars on these issues. We also offer attractive post graduate modules and supervision these key areas. Therefore, you are invited to join us in exploring these issues so that together we can produce and disseminate knowledge for the African continent. You can join us either as a student, participant in our research projects, seminars and workshops or by following our blog and making your contribution.