The Academia Ubuntu is a project from IPAV – Instituto Padre António Vieira – of Ignatian inspiration. The project seeks to train young people from socially unfavourable contexts or those with an ability to work in these contexts, so that in the future they are able to develop innovative and social entrepreneurial projects for their community.
Initially, the seminars are focused on the theme of leadership based on exemplary leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, among others… The second stage includes the development of a social entrepreneurship project putting into practice the Ubuntu spirit – African term meaning “I am because you are”; “I can only be a person through other people.” Being UBUNTU involves being welcoming, respectful, available to help and be helped, generous, community-driven, a caregiver and someone who has confidence in the others around them.
With the tools it offers, the Academia Ubuntu does good to participants and helps them do good, transforming the lives of those around them.