wfn.org | Inter-Faith Leaders Prioritize Collaboration with Regional

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

Inter-Faith Leaders Prioritize Collaboration with Regional Networks for
Africa's Economic Growth 
Follow-up Actions in Declaration of Central, East and Horn of Africa Faith
Representatives

NAIROBI, Kenya/GENEVA, 29 March 2004 (LWI) * Religious leaders from Central,
East and Horn of Africa concluded a three-day summit in the Kenyan capital
with a declaration to collaborate with regional and continental networks to
realize positive political transformation and economic growth in Africa.

The 60 participants drawn from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),
Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda resolved to work with
organizations and initiatives like the African Union, East African Community
and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Nairobi meeting
was the second such forum in a process of follow-up actions to the first
continental Inter-Faith Action for Peace Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa
in October 2002.

In a declaration adopted following discussion on the negative impact of
conflicts on the region's people and on development overall, representatives
of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths resolved to actively address issues
of poverty, disease, governance and HIV/AIDS. The conference held under theme
"Faiths Building Bridges of a Culture of Peace Together," committed the
inter-faith groups in the region to promote democratic processes that are
based on merit rather than ethnic and religious sectarianism.

The commitments of the Central, East and Horn of Africa region are an
affirmation of the Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Action adopted at the
October 2002 continent-wide summit. Concerning individual country situations,
the inter-faith representatives pledged to strengthen relationships between
Christians and Muslims in Sudan through the activities and programs of the
recently-created Sudan Inter-religious Council as well as its committee for
monitoring religious rights and freedom. They resolved also to make
inter-faith solidarity visits to conflict areas such as the DRC, Rwanda,
Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the Sudan.

Other commitments included strengthening the capacities of existing
inter-faith networks and promoting their formation in places where necessary,
and widening participation in the sub-region's inter-faith networks to
include the Baha'i, African Traditional Religions and Judaism. The Central,
East and Horn of Africa summit resolved also to promote an objective and
autonomous media on the continent; and ensure gender balance in all future
activities.

In various presentations at the summit, the religious leaders observed the
improved efforts of inter-faith groups in the region. But they also noted the
escalation of conflict in the north and north eastern Uganda in spite of
intervention by inter-faith groups; the need for the establishment of
independent truth and reconciliation commissions in countries like Burundi
and Sudan; and recognition that all religious leaders are key stakeholders in
national and regional issues. They noted with concern the March 28 attempted
coup d'etat in the DRC.  

The religious leaders pointed out that both internally and
externally-instigated conflicts had affected their region making it difficult
for people to engage in any meaningful activity. The most vulnerable in such
situations, they noted, are women and children, who are denied their
God-given opportunity to enjoy life in its fullness.

The Inter-Faith Youth Peace Initiative, Kenya, hosted the summit while the
Nairobi-based Inter-Faith Action for Peace coordination office managed its
organization. (525 words)

[The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
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of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology,
humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.)

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