The FAMVIN of Nigeria met from March 21-24 in Abuja, Nigeria, for their annual FAMVIN meeting and a workshop on systemic change. The theme of the gathering was “Systemic Change Approach towards our Services of the Poor in Nigeria.” FAMVIN business came first followed by a systemic change workshop.

Participants on the first full workshop day were 70, representing all 6 Family branches present in Nigeria: CM, DC, AIC, SSVP, AMM and VMY.  SSVP representation was strong with 31, and they reported that in the last year alone 46 new conferences were established. On day two the number of participants swelled to 140 as others arrived for Mass and final discussions.

The facilitators included Fr. Giuseppe Turati, CM and Jim Claffey from the International Systemic Change Commission, assisted by Fr. Emmanuel Typamm, CM, a close collaborator with the commission for Africa. Together they offered 7 power/point presentations and monitored group discussion sessions.

Participants manifested great interest in systemic change, listened very well, asked good questions, and seemed to leave with great enthusiasm to put this learning into practice. Although time did not allow a formal evaluation, conversations with members of the Family leadership indicated that participants were quite pleased with the entire experience and anxious to put the new learning into practice in their ministry.

Submitted by Jim Claffey, Commission Executive Secretary