wfn.org | Africa University breaks ground for peace institute

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Jan. 7, 2004 News media contact: Linda Green7(615) 742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
7 E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org7 ALL-AF-AA-YE-I{003}

NOTE: A photograph, audio and video clips are available with this report.

A UMNS Feature
By Linda Green*

Zimbabwe's economic problems have not eroded the confidence that United
Methodist and U.S. officials have in Africa University's ability to move the
continent toward peace.

The university recently broke ground for a $1.8 million building to house its
Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance. The institute, at the school's
campus in Mutare, Zimbabwe, will focus on helping African nations build a
sustainable culture of peace, improved management systems, security and
socio-economic development.

Construction funds for the three-story building were donated by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), a longtime supporter of
the university. Since the university was formally established in 1992, the
agency's Schools and Hospitals Abroad Program has contributed $8.3 million
for development and expansion at the university.  This has included building
and equipping the library, the faculty of agriculture and natural resources,
and the faculty of health sciences.    

The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance building will have academic
and administration sections, an auditorium, 10 seminar/lecture rooms, a
library, offices and a cafeteria. The United Methodist Church's
Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference provided seed money of
$15,000 to assist the university in its peace effort.

Joseph Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, was among those attending
the November groundbreaking. "Africa University and the institute (are) well
placed to promote critical values for the future development of Africa and
the prosperity of its people," he said. "These include human rights,
democracy and the efficient management of public and private institutions."  

He said the U.S. government's financial and moral support for the institute
"will go a long way towards achieving the vision to contribute to the
building of a peaceful and prosperous Africa by providing a forum for debate,
training and research, which actively promotes peace, good governance and
responsive leadership to meet the challenges being faced on the African
continent."

Peace in Africa is important, he said, as he reflected on his time in Angola
during the last three years of that country's civil war. The war has ended
and the country is working toward peace.

"Peace is critical for development," Sullivan said. "In order to make it
possible, there needs to be leadership - leadership not just of politicians,
but leadership of society as a whole to come forward."

Sullivan said the institute's title says what Africa needs - peace,
leadership, governance.  "If those three things can come together and these
new students being educated at this institute can help provide that
leadership for Zimbabwe and other countries ... Africa can realize the
tremendous promise it has for the whole world."

The university's effective use of resources for 11 years and its clear vision
for the African continent have continued to attract USAID support, he said.
"We have confidence that it (the university) will continue to do this,
notwithstanding the difficulties that Zimbabwe itself faces."

The United States has also provided resources to establish an American Corner
in the university's library to increase knowledge and mutual understanding
between America and Zimbabwe.  

The institute received its first students in January 2003, when 14 people
from seven African countries enrolled in its postgraduate programs. The
second class is expected to begin lectures this January. The programs are
aimed at responding to the major challenges facing Africa in the political,
social and economic effects of globalization. In addition to offering
conventional academic courses, the institute will run workshops, conferences
and retreats for leaders, professionals and practitioners in public and
private sectors and civil society institutions. 

According to James Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional
advancement, the USAID money "says that the U.S. government has all the
confidence needed in order to make an investment of another $1.8 million into
Africa University." 

"What it says to us is the people of the United States have not given up on
Africa University or the country of Zimbabwe," he said. "What better way to
support progress on the continent than invest in projects like the institute,
which promotes and teaches good governance, leadership and peace - all the
things needed to bring harmony to the continent of Africa University? It is
worthwhile and speaks to the future."

Acknowledging that Zimbabwe's 2002 presidential elections eroded good will
between the U.S. and Zimbabwean governments, Sullivan said it is the people
of the country who need help. He said the country is undergoing multiple
crises around economics, politics, an HIV/AIDS pandemic and a food shortage. 

Despite the political problems, the United States is providing approximately
$130 million annually in food assistance, which is 40 percent of the total of
international assistance provided, according to Sullivan. The U.S. government
is also providing $15 million for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and
awareness programs, he said. "We hope to see progress in reducing what is a
horrendous rate of infection."

In addition to the groundbreaking, the university celebrated the election of
Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as new
chancellor and chairman of the Africa University Board of Directors. Ntambo
succeeds Bishop Emilio J. deCarvalho, who retired after serving the
university for 11 years. He will be formally installed early in 2004.
# # #
*Green is a news writer with United Methodist News Service in Nashville,
Tenn. Contributing to this story were David Manyonga, acting director of
information for Africa University, and Hilly Hicks, staff member at United
Methodist Communications.

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
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