wfn.org | WCC Assembly Recommits Itself to `African Dream'

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30-December-1998 
98430 
 
    WCC Assembly Recommits Itself to `African Dream' 
 
    by Jerry Van Marter 
    Ecumenical News International 
 
HARARE, Zimbabwe-With no debate or dissent, the eighth assembly of the 
World Council of Churches (WCC) on Dec. 12 confirmed its commitment to 
Africa and rejected criticisms and negative views of the continent, 
stressing that "the emphasis should be positive, leaving behind the notes 
of fatalism, despair and helplessness which tend to characterize some 
attitudes and responses." 
 
    The 900-plus delegates at the assembly agreed to place "a special 
emphasis" on Africa and pledged to "support, accompany and help the 
churches and people of Africa as they address such problems as corrupt 
governments, crushing international debt, poverty, human rights abuses, 
war, famine, fragmentation of their societies and cultures and the scourge 
of HIV/Aids." 
 
    The assembly also instructed its central committee to carry forward the 
work of the WCC's "Reconstructing Africa" program of dialogue and study, 
which concluded in 1997 and was designed to educate churches outside Africa 
about the continent, to develop greater solidarity 
between African and non-African churches and to "enable Africa to make the 
unique contribution it has to offer to the world ecumenical movement." 
 
    The assembly declared that holding its meeting on African soil "gives 
us the opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the African dream and agenda 
for the 21st century." 
 
    It made special mention of the "hospitality and courtesy of the 
churches and people of Zimbabwe and singled out for special praise ZACT, a 
popular theater company in Harare which dramatized the historical and 
present struggle of the Zimbabwean people in a performance earlier in 
the assembly. 

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