Interfaith SUMMIT on AFRICA

Story by Ann Walle/CWS

"The Interfaith Summit on Africa: A Dialogue of Religious Leaders from Africa and the United States" was held in mid-July in Washington, D.C. Religious leaders of different faiths, invited by Church World Service and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), attended the gathering. Together with U.S. faith leaders and advocacy organizations, think tank analysts, academicians, and congressional policymakers, they focused on Africa's major issues and pursued collaborative solutions for some of the continent's toughest challenges.

"The Summit brought key players to the table to collaborate on solutions for Africa's toughest issues," said CWS Executive Director and CEO Rev. John L. McCullough. "Church World Service created the platform for African leaders and U.S. religious and government leaders to affect policy related to the continent -- so that we have helped the U.S. to listen to voices from across Africa."

A congressional briefing entitled "Africa -- Social and Economic Development from a Faith Perspective" was hosted on Capitol Hill by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.
The delegation of more than 50 African leaders -- representing Muslim, Hindu, and various Christian faiths -- attended to address the U.S. government officials on a range of issues affecting Africa today.

The Summit's opening plenary looked "Toward Authentic Strategic Alliances with Africa," and was opened by McCullough and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nyansako-ni-Nku, President of the AACC. The keynote address was given by Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, Under Secretary General, Special Advisor on Africa, the United Nations.

Other plenaries included Rev. David Beckmann of Bread for the World with remarks on "Faith Based Solutions to Social Issues"; an address on "HIV/AIDS in Africa: The Private Sector Response," given by Victor Barnes, Ph.D., Director of the HIV/AIDS Initiative of the Corporate Council on Africa; and "The Role of Religion in Public Life," by Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of the Anglican Church, Province of Southern Africa.

Critical issues dialogues were held on peace and reconciliation; water; hunger and food security; HIV and AIDS; malaria; displaced people; Africa's children; sustainable economic development; and the status of women.

Sheikh Mohammed Riyami of the National Muslim Council of Tanzania delivered the final address, on "Interfaith Alliances: Seeking Solutions to Religious Intolerance."

Church World Service is conducting a multi-year, comprehensive Africa Initiative. Says CWS's McCullough of the Summit, "CWS engaged others to listen to prominent African interfaith leaders to discern what they experience firsthand as critical issues."