Interfaith dialogue is key to strengthening communication rights, says WACC general secretar

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Interfaith dialogue is key to strengthening

communication rights, says WACC general secretary

> News Release, 14 March 2011

Mombasa, Kenya ­ Interfaith dialogue can play a key role in
strengthening the right to communicate and tackling questions of
social justice, General Secretary of the World Association of
Christian Communicators (WACC) said on 12 March.

Rev. Karin Achtelstetter was speaking at the 5th Commission meeting of
the Interfaith Action for Peace (IFAPA) in Mombasa, Kenya, where
representatives of the main faith traditions have gathered to discuss
peace and the issues that threaten it.

She said communication for peaceful co-existence supported the
emergence of tolerant and well-integrated societies at local, national
and global levels.

â??Peaceful societies are founded on political, economic, social and
gender justice. Faith communities, as well as other civil society
organisations and groups are uniquely positioned to advance mutual
understanding, peace and justice, and the integrity of creation,â??
said Achtelstetter in the presentation titled: Communication for
Peace-a Task for Faith Communities.

IFAPA is a group that brings together Islam, Christianity, Judaism,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Bahaâ??i and the African Traditional Religion
(ATR). It hopes to make the faiths cooperate and work together to
promote peace. Nearly 75 participants are attending the meeting which
is convening from 11-14 March.

Achtelstetter said communication for peace was an ongoing process that
created understanding and consensus among communities, while building
and strengthening sustainable human relationships.

â??One way of contributing to this process, is â??peace journal ism.
?Peace journalism is when editors and reporters make choices ­ of
f
what stories to report and about how to report them ­ that create
opportunities for society at large to consider and value non-violent
responses to conflict,â?? she said.

In Northern Kenya, WACC, which promotes communication for social
change, has been supporting the Kenya Pastoralist Journalist Network
(KPJN) carry out a peace education and awareness in the area. The
project addresses cattle rustling, direct marginalization, resource
competition, prevalence of small arms and light weapons. The network
carried community outreach in 16 hotspots, imparting skills on peace
education and conflict resolution to women pastoralists, pastoralist
men, elders, rehabilitated ex-combatants at the village levels and
specifically in grazing areas and watering points in the region. The
project has helped establish relationships among clans reducing
conflicts.

Still, Achtelstetter told the conference communicators played a
significant role in reshaping the world and helped empower
communities.

â??Accessing and distributing relevant information, knowledge and
tools will increase peopleâ??s capacity to promote peace,â?? sa id
Achtelstetter.

She said WACC shared that vision of a society in dialogue, which
deepens knowledge of diversity while affirming and respecting the
integrity and distinctiveness of every religion, society, and culture.

â??WACCâ??s purpose is to strengthen communication partnerships  and
alliances that emphasise and promote common values, collaboration, and
peaceful co-existence,â?? said Achtelstetter.

**Read full presentation here...

<http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/2572:-communication-fo 
r-peace-a-task-for-faith-communities-.html
**