FAQ

IAJP is the Institute of Artisans of Justice and Peace / Le Chant d'Oiseau (IAJP/CO). Born of an initiative by Archbishop Isidore de Souza after the 1990 National Conference, it was founded on 22 December 1997 at the St Gall Major Seminary in Ouidah. It is a research and training institute that spreads the Social Doctrine of the Church among young people, universities, professionals and the general public.

“Indeed, besides the earth, man's principal resource is man himself.” (John Paul II, Centesimus annus, no. 32). The Justice & Peace Benin logo also carries the call: “Fight poverty, build peace”.

IAJP/CO is led by Fr. Arnaud Éric AGUÉNOUNON, Director, assisted by Fr. Hermann AGBOFFO, Deputy Director. Activities and programmes are coordinated by Elisée Vivaldis GNANSOUNOU.

We are at Le Chant d'Oiseau in Cotonou, between the Père Aupiais Catholic College and the Archdiocese of Cotonou (Benin).

• Email: contact@iajp.bj
• Phone: +229 01 66 15 31 36, +229 01 91 90 47 22
• Or use the form on the Contact page.

The library is open Monday 1–7 pm, Tuesday to Friday 10 am–7 pm and Saturday 10 am–4 pm. For the secretariat and the guest house, please call +229 01 66 15 31 36 or write to contact@iajp.bj.

The XWEFA S.A.S guest house at Le Chant d'Oiseau offers accommodation in the heart of Cotonou. Information and bookings: 01 97 05 43 52 • 01 64 41 73 44 • 01 91 90 47 22 • 01 66 15 31 36.

Yes. Conference rooms are available for seminars, workshops, meetings and training sessions. For capacities, rates and availability: 01 97 05 43 52 • 01 64 41 73 44 • 01 91 90 47 22 • 01 66 15 31 36.

Yes, the XWEFA guest house restaurant serves Beninese and international cuisine (business lunches, group meals, events). Bookings: 01 97 05 43 52 • 01 64 41 73 44 • 01 91 90 47 22 • 01 66 15 31 36.

Yes, Le Chant d'Oiseau has a chapel open to session participants, guests and groups on retreat or recollection. Please contact the secretariat to organise a celebration.

The library (2nd floor of the Mgr Christophe Adimou building) offers an air-conditioned reading room with 60 seats and more than 7,000 books (law, economics, theology, social sciences, etc.). It is open to everyone: pupils, students, teachers, professionals, researchers.

• Day: 100 CFA francs (guests, with ID)
• Month: 500 CFA francs (copy of ID card, passport or school card)
• Year: 1,500 CFA francs for pupils/students, 2,000 CFA francs for others (2 ID photos + copy of an ID document).

The social conferences are a framework for research, training and discussion open to the public, held since 2004. Experienced speakers (economics, law, politics, history…) address an annual theme through conferences, debates and reflection circles. Announcements are published in the news.

Since 2002, IAJP has trained pastoral workers and students in the Social Doctrine of the Church: two two-week sessions per year in a three-year cycle (social teaching of the Church, human rights, the human person at the heart of society). To register, contact us: contact@iajp.bj.

Yes. The annual symposium brings together researchers and social actors around a topical theme. Colloquia, sub-regional or international, are held every two or three years (e.g. the colloquium for IAJP's 20th anniversary in 2017). Several activities are run with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC).

It is a public statement by IAJP calling on Beninese society to reflect on a major issue (dialogue, governance, social peace…) in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Church.

Every week IAJP shares a short thought for meditation. The latest one: Pensée de la semaine du 10 au 9 Novembre 2025.

You will find debates, conferences, symposia and celebrations in our video library (YouTube live streams and replays).

Proceedings of colloquia and symposia, terms of reference, annual programmes and books are gathered in the Publications section. Latest book: “Discerner avec Saint François de Sales” by Fr. Arnaud Éric Aguénounon (September 2026).

Our work covers democracy, good governance, corruption, decentralisation, youth, family, migration, poverty, economy, education, environment, ethics, the armed forces, society and theology.

Thank you for your interest! For a partnership, support or collaboration (research, training, events), write to contact@iajp.bj or call +229 01 66 15 31 36.