The CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice is pleased to welcome Jesuit scholar and environmentalist Barwendé Médard Sané, S.T.L., Ed.D. to keynote the 13th Annual CSJ Center Symposium at Loyola Marymount University.

This lecture explores the interconnected crises of environmental degradation and social inequality, focusing on marginalized communities and the need to reconcile historical injustices that have silenced traditional knowledge and erased cultural expressions. By integrating Afrocentric epistemologies and the principles of sacred ecology, it underscores the spiritual and cultural dimensions of ecological justice, presenting nature as a sacred entity and humanity’s partner in resilience and balance. It traces these challenges to colonial legacies while advocating for governance models that honor harmony between humanity and nature, offering inclusive frameworks rooted in dignity, localized wisdom, and sustainable practices.

The symposium, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor: (Re)igniting the Voice of the Marginalized, will examine how best to restore and honor the traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and dignity of marginalized people and communities. Visit the symposium Web page for complete information.

About Dr. Sané
Barwendé Médard Sané, S.J., S.T.L, Ed.D. is a postdoctoral research associate at Georgetown University's Earth Commons Institute focusing on the intersection of Afrocentric epistemologies and environmental justice. Passionate about integrating African values into strategic peacebuilding education, Dr. Sané combines Afrocentric insights, integral ecology, and Catholic principles to develop innovative educational modules.

His inquiry delves into how Afrocentric ecologists, guided by non-Western values, champion human dignity, care for all living beings, and foster the common good within a sustainable environment. Dr. Sané challenges the adequacy of modern science in addressing climate change and rectifying environmental disparities for marginalized communities. He firmly believes that achieving environmental justice necessitates epistemological justice, valuing diverse forms of knowledge and traditions.

Dr. Sané is the author of seven books and numerous articles. Notably, he published Révolution pour une Afrique Nouvelle: 151 Pyramides pour fonder les États-Unis d’Afrique in 2013, as well as Manuel de l’Éducation à la Paix en Afrique in 2020. He has founded and co-founded civil organizations, including l’Institut de Recherche sur la Paix au Sahel. Dr. Sané’s expertise encompasses Peacebuilding, Nonviolence, Leadership, and Afrocentric ecological wisdom. He has fifteen years of experience working in conflict regions of Africa, including Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, and Chad.