Institute for the Study of African Realities (ISAR)
Purpose
The Institute for the Study of African Realities (ISAR) exists
to provide a residential environment for research, development,
and study so that the church can respond biblically and
compassionately to issues facing modern Africa. Located on the
NEGST campus and run by a Director under an ISAR Committee of the
Senate, the Institute functions as a study centre for NEGST
faculty and students as well as church leaders and visiting
scholars.
Objectives
At the end of the programme in ISAR a participant should be
able to (experience any one or combination of the following):
- Receive learning opportunities in various fields of service
with an in-depth understanding of critical African life issues
from a Christian/biblical perspective
- Be self-reflective so that the individual scholar or group
becomes self-aware of and able to analyse their own weakness and
strengths as well as the opportunities and threats of the
external environment
- Do research on issues related to key African life issues such
as community building, peace building, healing, wholeness,
economics etc. and maintaining continuous dialogue or connection
with other African scholarship that is striving to understand and
analyse current issues and needs of the continent
- Identify and design practical responses to needs through
written reflections, responses and intervention plans at
community levels
- Establish and promote durable solutions to critical issues
facing Africa that are both biblical and deeply community rooted,
so that the church becomes a healing community in the midst of
struggle, turmoil, or uncertainty by assisting in programme
planning, development and, evaluation
- Publish the results of dialogue and reflections (report
summaries are on the ISAR website: AfricanRealities.com)
- Promote new patterns of mission-church relations through a
forum for western university and seminary students learning
within African context
Programmes
The programmes of the Institute include:
- Research: The Institute provides facilities for
faculty, students and visiting scholars to engage in research
projects related to the African church. In this venture, the
Institute collects and catalogues research materials, such as
African dissertations, theses, workshop and project materials,
and videotapes of significant church interventions in community
needs. Collaborative research project is promoted with both
individuals and other organizations. ISAR posts research
materials on its website;
- Literature and Resource Materials: The Institute
facilitates the means for writers to develop and bring to print
literature relevant to meeting the needs of the church as it
seeks to mobilize and educate its constituency to respond to the
needs of African society. In addition to books and
articles, workbooks and video tools are developed. These videos
are developed by ISAR in collaboration or in response to requests
made by organizations, which identify specific training
needs.
- Programme Development: ISAR makes provision for church
leaders to identify, plan and design programs that meet the
holistic needs of their communities. Usually this is the outcome
of workshops or research conducted to assess needs and
opportunities;
- In-service: This allows for NEGST faculty and students
to interact with and assist Church leaders in acquiring skills
and increasing their effectiveness for ministry. In-service
training includes all kinds of interests and issues that are
relevant to life and needs of the people and leaders on the
continent. The training is through workshops, seminars, lectures
or guided experience. The subjects and topics vary according to
needs and desires.
Procedure for Application/participation
Participants in Institute programmes must identify their own
learning objectives and formulate a research/learning plan. Each
resident must produce something as a result of their study: a
paper, article, book, work plan, evaluation or some other
evidence that they have processed concepts or have contributed to
the acquisition of research. NEGST students may apply as research
assistants at the Institute.
The Institute provides residential space for individual and
group reflection, seminars and forums. Overnight accommodations
and meals are available for guests. Fees are set on a sliding
scale. Guests are expected to provide their own transportation
and health and personal needs. Participants are allowed access
to the NEGST library.
Group or individual participants must make application to the
Institute Director using a form provided on request, or send in a
two-page summary of their educational and work background, study
objectives while at ISAR, desired length of stay, and one or two
references with names and addresses. Application forms can be
obtained from the Director’s office.