1. Programme Overview
The School of Intersectional Eco-Theology and Eco-Justice Witness implemented a blended mission training programme combining online preparatory sessions with a three-week in-person residential training held in Johannesburg (Benoni), South Africa, from 27 November to 12 December.
The in-person programme brought together 25 participants from diverse regional and cultural contexts, including Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Tahiti, Samoa, Cook Islands, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, India, Taiwan, and Trinidad and Tobago. This diversity fostered intercultural dialogue, shared learning, and ecumenical engagement.
2. Methodology and learning structure
The programme adopted an integrated pedagogical approach combining:
• Daily devotional practices, led by participants on a rotating basis, strengthening spiritual reflection and intercultural understanding.
• Contextual Bible Study as a core methodology, enabling participants to interpret Scripture critically by engaging both historical context and contemporary lived realities.
• Thematic lectures, facilitated discussions, group work, field visits, and applied project development.
This structure ensured a strong balance between theological reflection, contextual analysis, and practical application.
3. Core thematic areas
Intersectional Eco-Theology and Environmental Justice
Led primarily by Professor George Zachariah, sessions introduced intersectional environmentalism, Christian eco-theologies, and environmental justice frameworks. Participants examined environmental injustice, anthropocentrism, multispecies justice, and planetary Ubuntu.
Key themes included climate change–induced displacement, modern-day slavery, and migration, with case studies highlighting communities disproportionately affected by ecological crises. Sessions also addressed ecocide and genocide, with specific attention to Palestine, underscoring the intersection of political violence, ecological destruction, and the misuse of religious narratives. The importance of decolonising eco-theology and dismantling colonial frameworks within theological reflection was emphasized.
Economics, Ecology, and Justice
Economic literacy formed a central pillar of the programme. Sessions facilitated by Ms. Ziyanda and Professor Mshana covered foundational economic concepts, economic systems, and their relationship to ecological justice and theology. Topics included scarcity, opportunity cost, inequality, and economic indicators, including the Gini Index, with a contextual focus on South Africa.
Participants critically engaged with the distinctions between environmental economics and ecological economics, reflecting on economic models that integrate sustainability, equity, and environmental responsibility. The concept of the economy as a matter of faith highlighted values such as human dignity, solidarity, participation, sustainability, and the common good.
Church, Discipleship, and Advocacy
The programme explored economic and ecological justice as integral to church ministries, encouraging strategic planning approaches encompassing vision, mission, values, objectives, KPIs, and advocacy actions. Discipleship in eco-justice was examined through biblical perspectives, particularly Luke 4, emphasizing commitment, accountability, and action.
Advocacy was presented as a core dimension of eco-justice witness, with participants engaging in discussions on advocacy strategies, power dynamics, and ethical leadership.
Capitalocene, Solidarity, and Contextual Theology
Sessions led by Professor Joerg Rieger introduced the concept of the Capitalocene, shifting the analytical focus from individual responsibility to structural and systemic drivers of ecological degradation, particularly capitalist production systems and corporate power.
Participants explored solidarity, Ubuntu, and contextual theology as foundations for reconstructing relationships between ecology, economy, politics, and faith. Critical reflection was also undertaken on dominant images of God shaped by nationalism and capitalism, advocating for justice-oriented and incarnational theological frameworks.
4. Field Exposure and Contextual Learning
Field visits to a rabbit farm and a hydroponics farm in Johannesburg provided practical exposure to sustainable agricultural practices and alternative food production systems. Visits to local churches further contextualised theological learning within lived ecclesial realities.
5. Outputs and Institutional Outcomes
As part of the programme, participants developed and presented applied projects. One key output was the development of a project on economic literacy tailored for children, adults, and church communities. This project represents a transferable and contextually adaptable tool for community education and advocacy and is attached to this submission.
The training strengthened participants’ capacity for:
• Critical theological reflection
• Intersectional analysis of ecology, economy, and justice
• Advocacy-oriented and action-based eco-justice engagement
• Contextual and decolonial theological praxis
6. Conclusion
The School of Intersectional Eco-Theology and Eco-Justice Witness provided a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and transformative mission training experience. By integrating theology, economics, ecology, and advocacy, the programme effectively equipped participants to serve as informed practitioners and witnesses of eco-justice within faith-based, community, and institutional contexts.