wfn.org | 'Accept responsibility for the people,' Noko tells Africa's leaders

[FRANK.IMHOFF@ecunet.org]

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania/GENEVA, 5 June 2000 (LWI) - The general secretary
of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Dr. Ishmael Noko has made a
strong appeal to Africa's political, religious and social leaders to
accept their responsibility toward the people they serve and to act
conscientiously for the common good of the continent.

Addressing a press conference in the Mauritanian capital on 29 May 2000,
Noko reminded Africa's leaders of their moral and official obligation as
the guardians of national and regional decision-making and for the
establishment of effective mechanisms of accountability to the citizens
of their respective nations.

He urged the international community in its response to Africa, "to go
beyond the tragic pictures of hungry children, beyond acts of mercy" to
acts of solidarity. Noko called for a sense of co-responsibility,
focusing on the root causes rather than the symptoms. He cautioned,
however, that while the "international community has its role to play,
the quality and effectiveness of that role will depend to a very large
extent on how Africa demonstrates self-respect, respect for human
rights, respect for the rule of law and for the constitutional and
political systems we have chosen for our own governance, nationally and
regionally."

The LWF general secretary was in Mauritania from 26 - 30 May 2000,
primarily to see the progress of the Federation's Department for World
Service (DWS) program in the northwest African country, and to meet with
government officials.

At the press conference, Noko also launched a call for a meeting of
religious leaders in the continent with the aim to discuss and plan for
joint work for peace. "The time has come to move beyond common
declarations to common action. We must work together in order to promote
dialogue and mutual understanding across all boundaries-national,
religious, ethnic, and economic," he said. He pointed out that the
tragic prevalence of conflict in Africa calls for the religious and
faith communities there to work actively for the common good and to
resist the 'instrumentalization' of religious differences to create
enemy images and justify conflict.

He said the efforts of Mauritania's peoples provide a clear example of
action on hope based on a firm foundation of faith. Throughout Africa,
this foundation of faith-whether Islam, Christianity, Buddhism or
African traditional religions-provides a common basis, upon which
structures of solidarity and effective action can be built, Noko added.

He praised Mauritania's political and religious leaders saying that
during his meetings with various officials and visits to programs and
projects, he had witnessed a clear sense of commitment to the people's
welfare and progress towards democracy and justice. "I wish to affirm
and encourage that progress, to identify it as a key foundation for the
future development and security of this nation, and to declare the LWF's
commitment to supporting the on-going process of democratization in this
country," he said.

The LWF general secretary particularly paid tribute to the government's
efforts, through its Commission for Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation
and Integration, to address the enormous problem of poverty throughout
the nation by demonstrating a breadth of vision and sense of hope "which
draws its inspiration from this country's strong faith tradition." He
emphasized that such an approach not only acknowledges the holistic
nature of all aspects of human life and struggle, but also promotes the
formulation of integrated strategies that reflect the indivisible nature
of human life in dignity. In addition, it promotes the sustainable
development of communities, rather than the mere fulfillment of narrow
economic indicators.

On effective collaboration between civil society (including national and
international non-governmental organizations - NGOs) and government, the
general secretary said that each should recognize and respect the
distinctive role of the other, thereby enabling progress toward
sustainable development and the realization of the people's economic,
social and cultural rights. Under the auspices of its country program,
the LWF is helping to build local civil society capacities through its
Support and Mobilization of Local NGOs project.

The Federation first began work in Mauritania in 1974, in response to
the aftermath of the great drought of the early seventies. Over the
years the focus of the LWF/DWS involvement there has broadened to
include the promotion of integrated community development. Presently, a
joint formal agreement enables the Federation to combine its resources
and expertise with the government's in implementing key aspects of the
national strategy for poverty alleviation and rural development in this
country, of which two-thirds is desert. Noko was on his first visit
there as LWF general secretary.

He pointed out that the LWF and Mauritania, shared a common basis for
cooperation, saying the Federation's involvement in promoting
sustainable and participatory development and advocating for human
rights is based upon "our faith conviction that all people bear the
image of God and share God-given dignity-- a conviction that I believe
we share with the peoples of Mauritania."

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania achieved independence from France in
1960. It is a multi-party democratic nation, presently with a population
of 2.2 million people.

(The LWF is a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries
representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans. Its
highest decision making body is the Assembly, held every six or seven
years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council
which meets annually, and its Executive Committee. The LWF secretariat
is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material
presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its
various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation
(LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/