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Suma Kaare - Social Justice Education Coordinator

Suma Kaare brings to the ERISJ a wealth of experience in social justice gained through working with and for the poor in Africa. Suma shares with the ERISJ her professional experience in working with marginalised groups and communities and dialoguing with policy-makers for public policies and budgets that are pro-poor. She has worked extensively to influence Governments towards pro-poor policies and strategies in Cameroon, Southern Sudan and Tanzania.

Suma has a strong background in training, research and consultancy. This has been gained as a lecturer, researcher and consultant with various organisations in Africa and beyond. She has spent over 17 years teaching public administration, development management and research methods at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), University of Canberra (Australia), the Institute of Finance Management (Tanzania) and for many African NGOs. She has developed various manuals currently used for training to promote poverty reduction and inclusive development, with a special focus on poverty analysis and gender issues mainstreaming in Tanzania.

View Publications by Suma Kaare.

Suma has also consulted in, researched and worked to promote social justice and human rights of various marginalised groups in Africa. Some of her work includes:

  • in Tanzania, supporting the UN Volunteer Agency and the Tanzanian Government to formulate the National Volunteer Policy to address problems of weak national capacity for promoting human development in the country;
  • assisting the United Nations Development Programme (www.undp.org) in Tanzania to formulate a program of action to promote broad-based economic growth and sustained access to education, health and legal justice for marginalised individuals and groups living in refugee-affected areas;
  • provided the National Parliament with tools to promote pro-poor policies;
  • facilitated strategic planning processes of several organizations, including the Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Zanzibar, the Foundation for Promoting Women’s Empowerment in Tanzania (an initiative of the First Lady), and with five other Non-Government Organisations that expand access to HIV and AIDS care and treatment as well as sexual and reproductive health services with a view to reduce maternal and infant mortality;
  • support foreign Governments including the Royal Danish Embassy and the Royal Netherlands Embassy to formulate action programs to ensure that aid benefits the poor in Tanzania;
  • in Cameroon, she worked with community-based organisations in South-West Province to influence Government policy towards equitable and sustainable access to natural resources; and
  • in Southern Sudan, she supported the Government to formulate and implement a national framework for combating HIV and AIDS in a post-war situation. Suma’s research works have focused on issues of access to social services for the poor, in the areas of housing, health and sanitation, HIV and AIDS, environment and gender.

Unlike many other women from underdeveloped/poor countries, Suma has been privileged to have had access to education to PhD level, studying in eminent educational institutions in Tanzania, Australia and the Netherlands. Her long-term dream is for this privilege to become a right for all marginalised and poor women and men of the world.

Suma’s involvement and interest in social justice, human rights and equality in human development is very much influenced by her strong background in the Christian faith, and the writings of eminent scholars like Julius Nyerere and his principles of egalitarianism.

Suma has also been fortunate to have experienced different cultures through living in Australia, the Netherlands and Francophone Africa (Cameroon). She has also traveled widely including several visits to South Africa, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the USA, Switzerland and Ireland.

Suma has a number of publications covering various aspects of social justice, human rights and development. Many of her publications are policy studies, training manuals or program documents used by various groups, including policy makers and policy advocacy networks inside and outside Tanzania.

Suma regards employment with the ERISJ as an opportunity to deepen her experience and understanding of social justice, especially the different ways in which promoters of social justice and marginalised groups can work and advocate for a more just world.