Education for social change in Tanzania

Background information

Tanzania - like many countries in the global South - faces major social challenges: Poverty, violence, gender inequality, dealing with HIV/AIDS and the need for peaceful interfaith coexistence. Religious communities and their leaders play a central role in these social issues. Theological education that addresses this responsibility is therefore of great importance.

Mission 21 has been working in partnership with the Moravian Church in Tanzania for many years. The focus is not on a missionary approach in the traditional sense, but on promoting church education work that advocates peace, justice, inclusion and interreligious dialog - open to all denominations and religions.

One example of this is the theological seminary at Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU) in Mbeya, which offers an academically sound, ecumenically open and socially relevant education. The courses are also attended by students from neighboring countries such as Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.

Project goals

• Graduates acquire skills to actively tackle social challenges such as HIV, poverty, violence and inequality.
• They promote holistic development in their communities and the wider social environment.
• The training raises awareness of interfaith relations, (gender) justice, peacebuilding and the inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Access to high-quality theological education - regardless of gender or social background.

Target groups

• 6 scholarship holders at the Faculty of Theology at TEKU
• Approx. 350 multipliers (church leaders, pastors, lecturers)

Activities

The following activities are planned for 2025:

• Promotion of teaching with a focus on inclusion, gender equality, peacebuilding, interfaith relations, ecumenism and the prevention of HIV and domestic violence.
• Awarding of 6 scholarships to disadvantaged women for a Bachelor's degree in theology.
• Networking and exchange with national and international theological training centers.

Project progress

Since 2022, six women have been able to study theology at TEKU with a scholarship from Mission 21. They are about to graduate and are already important voices in their church. Around 393 participants attended the workshops for multipliers (religious and political leaders) in 2024.

In 2024, a staff assignment took place at the university in Mbeya as part of the learning community: Theology was taught there for one semester. In-service training by TEKU lecturers and external experts on topics such as inclusion, ecumenism, gender equality and interreligious dialog have strengthened church leaders in their ability to tackle socially relevant issues competently and responsibly.