wfn.org | All Africa News Agency Dec 1 2003 News

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

ALL AFRICA NEWS AGENCY
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AANA BULLETIN No. 47/03 December 1, 2003 News

NEWS SECTION

SPECIAL  FOCUS	ON  AACC  ASSEMBLY

African Churches Adopt A Ten-Point Plan Against HIV/AIDS

YAOUNDE (AANA) December 1 -  African church leaders from across the 
continent prayed, sang and spoke out boldly last Wednesday, during a day of 
reflection on HIV/AIDS and of commitment to defeat it.

Delegates to the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) 8th General 
Assembly, meeting here from November 22 to 27, reviewed the dire facts and 
figures, heard testimonies from HIV-positive clergy and laity, and adopted 
a 10-point "covenant" for fighting the pandemic.

To dramatise the importance of HIV screening, the Assembly offered free, 
voluntary on-site testing.  More people than expected went for the test, as 
confirmed by the fact that supplies ran out, prompting on-site clinic staff 
to give others vouchers for the following day.

"As far as we are concerned, this is war," said Rev Dr Mvume Dandala, 
General Secretary of the AACC.	 "We declare unequivocally that HIV/AIDS is 
not the will of God for Africa.  We will try with all we have to resist 
it," he went on.

At a candlelight vigil and service the same evening, Dandala had strong 
words for international pharmaceutical companies.

"The Church must resist a tendency by the pharmaceutical companies to see 
Africa as an open market for HIV/AIDS drugs because of the virus' 
prevalence on the continent," he said, adding: "If that is the way the 
pharmaceuticals see Africa, it is a sign of their moral bankruptcy."

Delegates stood to adopt the AACC covenant, which Dandala described as "a 
guiding document for all our churches as well as a position paper that is 
going to give guidance to the kind of response the Church has to give to 
the HIV/AIDS pandemic".

"Africa is more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because of poverty, inadequate 
health systems and the unquestionable truth that the lack of access to ARVs 
(anti-retroviral drugs) by the African people exacerbates the problem," he 
said.

"Gathered here together with our partners from around the world, we want to 
declare our commitment to seeking ourselves to find solutions in Africa 
that will help all Africans resist this pandemic," continued the AACC 
General Secretary.

Dandala called for more research funds for Africa's scientists seeking 
treatments and a cure, and for strengthening of Africa's health services, 
40 percent of which are in the hands of the Church.

In the 10-point AACC covenant, delegates pledged to:
o	Undertake HIV prevention for all people: Christian and non-Christian,

married and single, young and old, women and men, poor and rich, everywhere;

o	Do all that is necessary to encourage both men and women to love,
care, 
support and heal all infected and affected in communities throughout the 
continent;

o	Undertake prophetic advocacy until anti-retrovirals are available to
all 
who need them;

o	Have zero-tolerance for stigma and discrimination against
HIV-positive 
persons, and do whatever possible to eliminate the isolation, rejection, 
fear and oppression of the infected and affected in the community;

o	Work to empower the poor and denounce all laws and policies that have

condemned billions to poverty, thus denying them their God-given rights, as 
well as quality care and treatment;

o	Denounce gender inequalities that lead men and boys to risky sexual 
behaviour, domination and violence, and that deny girls and women decision 
making powers in sexual matters, deprive them of property rights and expose 
them to violence;

o	Empower and protect all children, denouncing laws and policies that 
expose them to sexual abuse and exploitation;

o	Become a community of compassion and healing, a place for all people 
living with HIV/AIDS to live openly and productively;

o	Test for infection, abstain before marriage, be faithful in marriage
and 
practise protected sex, for prevention should be seriously pursued to 
protect life;

o	Declare jubilee and proclaim liberty, for until justice is served to
all 
people, until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever 
flowing stream, HIV/AIDS cannot be uprooted.

Reported by Carol Fouke and Dave Wanless

Youth Delegates Present No-nonsense Recommendations

YAOUNDE (AANA) December 1 - Youth attending the All Africa Conference of 
Churches (AACC) 8th General Assembly here last week appealed to the Church 
to help them realise their potentials, so that they could actively 
participate in rebuilding the Church, society and, thus, Africa.

In their resolutions, they looked at six key issues, which included the 
Church and environment, globalisation, HIV/AIDS pandemic, peace-building, 
ecumenical training, and corruption.

Geoffrey H Kaizamba, AACC Youth Desk Interim Executive Secretary, read the 
resolutions to the Assembly delegates for adoption.

The youth noted that the environment was being destroyed by 
desertification, deforestation and land use techniques. Multinational 
companies got a bash  for their exploitation of forest resources, 
especially in Central Africa, from where the priceless resource was rapidly 
vanishing.

Similarly, factories were not spared for the manner they dispose their 
industrial wastes, that compound the problem of air and water pollution.

The youth, thus, resolved that the Church should initiate a campaign to 
discourage multinationals from destroying forests, and engage governments 
and civil society in this endeavour. Activities could include lobbying for 
environmental legislation, promotion of reforestation, desert reclamation, 
and effective use of media in awareness promotion.

Exploitation of Africa's resources was evident on the globalisation scene, 
charged the youth, as the world institutions like the International 
Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank, among others, were bent on making 
decisions in the absence of Africa's full representation.

In this respect, the youth mandated the Church to prevail on governments to 
resist trade agreements detrimental to Africa's progress, and have 
legislation to check on unnecessary exportation and importation. Further, 
the youth urged the Church to work in partnership with governments and 
NGOs, to provide conducive environment for investment and job creation.

On HIV/AIDS, the youth claimed that half of the newly infected people today 
were between 15 and 24 years. Yet, the young people, who number 1 billion, 
were not involved in policymaking and budget allocation on HIV/AIDS 
strategies.

They called for urgent need for the ecumenical movement, governments and 
civil society to work with them on effective prevention, treatment and care 
strategies.

They, therefore, gave a five-point recommendation to the church:
o	That the Church should establish an effective ecumenical framework
for 
their response to HIV/AIDS, ensuring a co-ordinated, participatory, 
transparent and accountable approach, integrating HIV policy and programme 
responsibilities across all spheres of the ecumenical movement.

o	That the Church should adequately equip the youth with knowledge and 
skills to become a caring and healing community.

o	That the Church should recognise those living with HIV/AIDS and
involve 
them in the process of elevating the conscience of all.

o	That the Church should include teaching of HIV/AIDS and
de-stigmatisation 
in its institutions of learning and theological colleges.

o	That the Church should not divert funds for HIV/AIDS programmes, 
administration and related purposes.

On peace-building, the youth urged the Church to give priority to solving 
current psychological, ideological and social challenges impeding efforts 
of the youth in exercising their full potentials, and to be more robust in 
advocacy measures regarding the rights of women and children.

Further they called upon the Church to initiate peace-building programmes 
to curb cultism and ethnic violence, to uphold dialogue, to engage in 
collaborative networking, and constructively strategise in the interfaith 
related issues.

Concerning ecumenism, the youth resolved that the Church should reinforce 
ecumenical training for them, and build their capacity using an appropriate 
and contextual communication system, so that they can effectively 
participate in decision making processes.  They also urged churches in 
Africa to develop dynamic interfaith dialogue programmes among their youth.

The youth further observed that corruption had permeated all sectors of 
society and urged the Assembly to come up with a strong statement on it.

They recommended to churches to develop and enforce anti-corruption policy 
within and outside their structures, with enforceable corrective measures.

Finally the youth challenged the Assembly to put in place appropriate 
mechanisms for periodic monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of 
the recommendations.

Reported by Joseph K'Amolo

World Council Of Churches Vows To Tackle Violence Head-On

YAOUNDE (AANA) December 1 - Taking on the significant role of World Council 
of Churches (WCC) General Secretary in January 2004, presents enormous 
challenges for Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.

A priority that was endorsed at the just concluded All Africa Conference of 
Churches (AACC) 8th General Assembly here (November 22-27), is the pressing 
issue of violence, which continues to affect not only Africa, but the 
entire world.

Kobia said WCC's programme to overcome violence intends to provide 
leadership as well as a basis for networking between countries that have 
been successful in their own context of stemming violence.

He cited the example of a project undertaken by churches in Boston, 
Massachusetts, USA, where two rival gangs pursued each other into a church 
service and one member was shot dead in front of shocked parishioners.

As a result, the congregation resolved to take charge of the street 
themselves.  Church ministers went into the ghettos and talked to members 
of the community, and provided them with conflict resolution skills.

Utilising the Urban Rural Mission Programme in Senegal, both Christians and 
Muslims have been working together to resolve a conflict in Southern 
Senegal, which had threatened to tear two communities apart.  They sat down 
with the leaders of both communities to agree to pursue dialogue, rather 
than fighting.

"It is vital to teach conflict resolutions skills to young people at an 
early age.  Therein lies the solution," Kobia says.

The WCC's programme to overcome violence was a direct response to problems 
brought to the WCC by South Africa.

"It was Bishop Stanley Mogoba, during a service in Johannesburg, who 
challenged the WCC to accompany South Africa on such a programme," recalled 
Kobia.

The WCC's incoming general secretary went on to narrate examples: "When a 
Methodist Church in Durban was burned down, Christians, Jews, Muslims and 
Buddhists, who had been working together, took the initiative and used the 
charred wood [to make] a cross, symbolising the self-destruction of 
communities."

He went on: "For Christians, this was a powerful image of the death and 
resurrection of Christ."

That a solution needs to be found soon to the violence and intimidation 
that continues unabated in Zimbabwe, is no news to Kobia.

While he appeared to be reticent about specifics, it is obvious from what 
he did reveal, that the WCC is seriously engaged in addressing the issue.

The organisation has been in contact with the Zimbabwe Council of Churches 
(ZCC), and has reached a point that makes it absolutely essential for 
churches to come out boldly and say that the situation can no longer be 
tolerated.

"It is risky and takes courage, but it is a gospel imperative.	They will 
have to stand up, as the churches did in South Africa to overcome 
apartheid," he said.

WCC has also written to the Minister of Justice to express concern for the 
lawlessness and disregard for law and order, and has named people who can 
identify their tormentors, asking that such people be dealt with.

In the weeks ahead, said Kobia, WCC will engage, on behalf of the 
ecumenical movement, in serious consultations with ZCC and other ecumenical 
bodies, to express their readiness to search for a just solution.

This, he said, lies in the Government of Zimbabwe accepting to respect the 
wishes of the people, which might mean holding fresh elections, a process 
that will have to be monitored by international bodies, as well as 
Christians in neighbouring countries.

"I am aware of and clearly appreciate the urgency, and for that reason, I 
have been consulting here with the General Secretary of the Zimbabwe 
Council of Churches and also with Bishop Sebastian Bokare," Kobia stated.

He went on: "They have assured us that initiatives have been taken to 
promote dialogue between the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) and the 
government.  It is happening now as we speak and is a process which is 
likely to take weeks and not months."

Reported by Val Pauquet

Expert Dissects Statistics of HIV-AIDS Pandemic In Africa

YAOUNDE (AANA) December 1  - Africa is yet to feel the magnitude of orphan 
crisis, given the high sero-prevalence of HIV, which is expected to exceed 
25 million by the year 2010, according to Dr Sue Parry, Southern Africa 
Regional Co-ordinator for Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA).

Dr Parry said this in her presentation to the 8th General Assembly of the 
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), which took place here from 
November 22 to 27.

Noting that orphans were an extremely vulnerable sector of the population, 
she said: "Not only are they subjected to all forms of abuse and 
exploitation, their situation often limits their choices. There is little 
motivation to consider the risks of HIV when day-to-day survival is all 
they can cope with."

She noted that serious urgency to respond far more proactively was not 
adequately addressed either by governments, NGOs or Faith Based 
Organisations (FBOs). "We delay at our peril," she quipped.

Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been over 60 million 
casualties, and of these, 20 million, still in their prime lives, have died.

Currently, there are 42 million infected people world-wide, and the figure 
was rising by 14,000 every day, said the South African doctor.

She observed that while globally, AIDS was rated fourth as cause for death, 
in Africa, it ranked first, since more people were dying from the effects 
of the pandemic than any other cause.

Among children, apart from the vast number affected by HIV/AIDS, there are 
those who are directly infected, mostly through parent-to-child 
transmission, yet this is a preventable situation.

Sub-Saharan Africa, said Dr Parry, is the most affected by HIV/AIDS, 
accounting for 87.5 percent of the cases. Within this region, southern 
Africa presents the most scary scenario, with seven out of the 11 
countries, having an HIV sero-prevalence exceeding 20 percent. The rates 
are still rising.

The statistics she presented indicated that Botswana had an infection rate 
of 38.8 percent, Swaziland 33.4 percent, and Lesotho 31 percent.  This, she 
interpreted, reflected that one in three adults within the region was 
infected.

However, she said, the figures often hide the actual numbers of people 
living with the virus, and the resultant impact on the economy and social 
structure of the country.

She cited South Africa, with an infection rate of 20 percent, as an 
example, saying the country was actually home to the largest number of 
people living with HIV world-wide.

In Lesotho, Dr Parry said, a 15-year-old youth today has a 74 percent 
chance of being infected before reaching the 50th birthday.

Analysing region by region, Dr Parry said West Africa still had the lowest 
prevalence rate of HIV than other regions.

The region, however, presented two strains of the virus - HIV-1 and HIV-2 - 
with the latter being slow in progressing, meaning that an infected person 
might live with HIV for 20 years or more before succumbing to AIDS.

She explained that this was because of the concurrent presence of HIV-2, 
which limited the spread of the other strain -- HIV-1.

This longevity, she noted, concealed the seriousness of the infection rate 
in the countries.  Yet still, said Dr Parry, many Franco-phone countries 
viewed HIV/AIDS as only a medical condition, and as such, the response was 
still widely limited to one of awareness raising and preventive measures.

Among Central African countries, prevalence rates range from 4.9 percent in 
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to 12 percent in Central African 
Republic.

In Eastern Africa, no country in the region is spared from the pandemic, 
noted Dr Parry, yet the region has been dealing with the pandemic since the 
1980s.

The situation in Africa, she observed, is compounded by so many factors. 
She identified conflicts, poverty, gender and cultural issues, rampant 
denial caused by stigma, and overburdened health services, as among some 
stark realities that had a major impact on the spread of the scourge in the 
continent.

Reported by Joseph K'Amolo