Our mission and commitment is to transform Africa by providing tools and skills that make you active agents of social transformation at your workplace , the church, local communities, and at the national, regional and global level.
We provide hands-on training that includes community engagement that allows you to develop a deeper understanding of social issues, enhance your research and problem-solving skills, foster meaningful connections with diverse groups, and apply your knowledge and talents to create positive change.
Our programs are designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to investigate, analyze and address pressing social issues, fostering a culture of evidence-based problem solving through research. This cultivates innovative problem-solving skills and encourages critical thinking.
The Institute for Social Transformation was founded in 1994 by Fransceso Pierli, a Comboni missionary, with the idea of training agents of change.
The vision of the Institute is to train people from the society, church circle to be able to engage and bring about transformation in the society.
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Our goal is to be a hub of excellence and innovation, providing hands-on training that ensures you acquire the essential skills to embark on careers in Social Transformation as well as your personal growth and spiritual guidance.
This methodology sharpens the skills of the learners as they engage with their communities. It also helps to establish a rapport with communities to adequately run initiatives and community programs.
Recognizing the significance of faith in many communities, we explore the intersection of faith and social responsibility. Our programs encourage a thoughtful exploration of how faith can be a catalyst for positive change.
New ideas, new means and projects are needed in order to create social impact. At IST, we are dedicated to nurturing these innovative ideas through rigorous research, active involvement of our students, the community and strong partnerships that extend beyond the academic realm.
Beyond offering our learners with the skillset to be social transformation agents, we engage the community to provide solutions through outreach programmes.
Through our professional courses, we have recruited and trained qualified professionals in different fields to undertake different roles in the church and society.
This ensures relevance to real-world issues and the needs of the communities as well as access to valuable insights and firsthand experiences that can inform research and educational programs. Partnerships with grassroots communities also lead to collaborative projects, enriching the institute's work and impact.
In 2012, IST began Diploma courses in informal settlements to provide service learning for the residents in these communities. These programmes utilize available learning atmosphere, to encourage residents to improve their livelihoods.
Leveraging on our convening power for different praxis we create platforms for dialogue with key stakeholders in the field.
"I wholeheartedly advocate for a clean environment, and I'm thrilled that this course not only empowers us to be job creators but also exposes us to diverse fields that promote sustainability."
I am passionate about environmental care and I am a happy champion and animator of Laudato Si'.I am excited about the course because it equips me with the skills and knowledge to critically analyse social problems and device solutions.
"I have always dreamt of becoming a social worker specializing in capacity-building community programs for women. Through my diploma and BA, I have acquired the knowledge and skills to effectively organize and manage projects that bring about transformation in communities."
I was born blind and i went through a lot of challenges especially stigmatisation. I couldn't interact with people because they thought my visual impairment was a curse. I want to change that narrative. I can do anything a sighted person can and I believe every other person like me should be empowered to believe the same. Yes! They can do it. This course was very enlightening because it shed light on the importance of being participative leader who not only give the team a vison and a dream to follow but also incorporates their ideas. I can confidently say I am an agent of social transformation working towards changing the lives of those who are visually impared.
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