aacc mid-year report for 2014

5/21/2018 AACC Mid-Year Report for 2014

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ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF

CHURCHES

ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE

OF CHURCHES

MID-YEAR REPORT

2014


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AACC MID-YEAR REPORT 2014

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS

AAATRS All Africa Academy of Theology and Religious Studies

AACC All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)

AEA Association of Evangelicals in AfricaASTHEOL Association des Institutions Thologiques dAfrique Francophone

ATIEA Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa

ATISCA Association of Theological Institutions in Southern and Central Africa

AU African Union

AUC African Union Commission

AWEPON African Womens Economic Policy Network

BOT Board of Trustees

CAD Campaign for African DignityCCSL Council of Churches of Sierra Leone

CEVAA Communaut dEglises en Mission

CSO Civil Society Organisations

CPDE CSOs Partnership for Development Effectiveness

DTCC Desmond Tutu Conference Centre

DRC Democratic Republic of Congo

EEAM Eglise Evanglique au Maroc

FBOs Faith Based OrganisationsJEC Joint Executive Committee

KCS Keeping the Children Safe U.K.

NCCs National Christian Councils

OIAC Organization of African Instituted Churches

PIASS Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences

PROCMURA Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa

RELBONET Religious Bodies Network on Climate Change

RL-PIHA Religious Leaders Peace Initiative in the Horn of Africa

SEF Sudan Ecumenical Forum

SG Secretary General

SCC Sudan Council of Churches

UCC United Church of Canada

UJCC Uganda Joint Christian Council

WAATI West African Association of Theological Institutions

WCC World Council of ChurchesWDP World Day of Prayer


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The AACCs VISION:

Churches in Africa together for Life, Truth, Justice and Peace (John 10:10)

The AACCs MISSION:

The All Africa Conference of Churches is a fellowship of churches and institutionsworking together in their common witness to the Gospel by:

Mobilizing to faithfully live the message of Gods love;

Nurturing a common understanding of the faith;

Interpreting and responding to challenges to human dignity; and,

Acting prophetically in Word, Life and Service for healing.

The AACCs VALUES:

In obedience to God and the imperatives of the Gospel we are committed tooperate honestly and with integrity, and in the spirit of love.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPLES

Our Strategies:

AACC is the prophetic presence and witness of the Churches in Africa.

AACC is an ecumenical instrument facilitating synergy amongst its mem-

bers, with the people of Africa.

AACC mobilizes its constituency to speak with one voice on issues affect-

ing the people of the African continent.

Our Principles:

We are proactive in the accompaniment of Churches;

We engage in discernment for positive transformation;

We are issue driven and focus on result oriented programmes;

We are committed to ecumenical vocation.


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Table of CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................vi

1.0 THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY .....................................................................8

2.0 THEOLOGY, ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH RELATIONS ...............................................9

2.1 Consultation on Theology as a Tool to Overcome Poverty in Africa .....................................9

2.2 Interactive Seminar on the Current Landscape of Theological Education in Africa ......... 10

2.3 Advisory Committee on Theology, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations meeting .............. 10

2.4 Internship Programme .................................................................................................................. 11

3.0 EMPOWERMENT, DIAKONIA AND DEVELOPMENT .......................................................12

3.1 Assessment of the Organizational capacity of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone(CCSL)..................................................................................................................................................... 12

3.2 Leadership Development for Church Leaders ......................................................................... 13

3.3 Consultation on Climate change and Food security ............................................................... 14

3.4 Pan-African Interfaith Summit ..................................................................................................... 15

4.0 FAMILY LIFE AND GENDER JUSTICE ..............................................................................16

4.1 Women Database ........................................................................................................................ 16

4.2 Fellowship of the Least Coin ....................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Capacity Building Workshop for Women in East Africa ....................................................... 17

4.4 Church Leaders Summit on Millennium Development Goals ................................................. 18

4.5 Health and Healing /HIV-AIDS .................................................................................................. 18

4.6 Child Safeguarding Policy .......................................................................................................... 18

5.0 PEACE AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME .......................................................................20

5.1 Ofce of the Ecumenical Special Envoy for South Sudan and Sudan........................... 20

5.1.1 Shuttle Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Consultations ........................................................... 20


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5.1.2 IGAD Peace Talks ................................................................................................................. 21

5.1.3 Additional Consultations and Ecumenical Coordination ................................................ 21

5.1.4 The South Sudan Support Group Nairobi (SSSG-N) .................................................22

5.2 The AACC-African Union Liaison Ofce..............................................................................23

5.2.1 YWCA: Young Women Engaging with African Union Summit: 21 January, AddisAbaba ..................................................................................................................................23

5.2.2 AU SUMMIT: 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, Agriculture and FoodSecurity, 21-31 January, Addis Ababa .......................................................................24

5.2.3 Open Session Peace and Security Council: Women, Children and other Vulnerablegroups in Armed Conict: 8 May, Addis Ababa..........................................................24

5.2.4 Churches Witnessing with Migrants 5th International Consultation: 12-16 May,Stockholm, Sweden ............................................................................................................24

5.2.5 UN-OCHA-AU: Managing risks of Humanitarian Crises. 12 June, Addis Ababa ....24

5.2.6 International Evangelical Church (IEC): Seeking Peace through Reconciliation: 14 June,Addis Ababa ....................................................................................................................... 25

5.2.7 Churches Commission with Migrants in Europe (CCME): General Assembly 25-29 June,

Sigtuna, Sweden .................................................................................................................25

5.2.8 Pastoral visit to Sudan and South Sudan: June 16-24, 2014 .....................................25

5.2.9 Plans for the Formation of the Church Council in Ethiopia ...........................................26

5.3 Ofce of the Ecumenical Special Envoy for West and Central Africa..........................26

5.3.1 Engagement in the Central African Republic ..................................................................26

5.3.2 Peace and Solidarity Visit to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)..........................27

5.3.3 Peacekeeping Seminar in Kaduna, Nigeria ....................................................................28

5.4 Migration and Human Trafcking......................................................................................... 28

5.5 The AACC Peace Training Manual .......................................................................................30

6.0 FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................... 31

6.1 Outcome and Impact Orientation Workshop 24th - 26th June, 2014 ...............................31

6.2 Unaudited Financial Report January-June 2014 ...................................................................31


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Executive Summary

The All Africa Conference of Churches began 2014 with a focus on creatingprograms and activities to t the new ecumenical mandate for the next 5

years. This report seeks to highlight the steps taken by the AACC in thecontinent as the organization addresses the numerous concerns, politicaltensions, and challenges facing the African continent. These steps were, andcontinue to be, enacted through the various departments and programmes. Theclimax of the previous ve-year mandate was the 10 thGeneral Assembly, andwas also the organizations 50thAnniversary.

During the period under review, AACC programmatic work was enacted throughthe following areas:

Ofce of the General Secretary

This ofce continues to provide leadership and ensures that work done by theorganization is consistent with the vision and mission. Governance structuresmet, and continue to meet, regularly to formulate policies and oversee thework of the Secretariat. The ofce of the General Secretary made deliberateefforts to ensure that the organization strengthens its working relationship withother stakeholders working in areas of mutual interest. It also responded toinvitations from its membership to accompany them on their various specialevents and in times of difculties, especially in the area of peace building and

mediation.

Theology, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

The department continues to provide the theological rationale that mustundergird the work of the AACC as an instrument of the churches. Thedepartment sustained its outreach to theologians and theological institutionsin its efforts to create and promote linkages that will enhance the role oftheological institutions on the continent. This department aims at promotingcontextual theology based on emerging issues in each region of the continent

and also facilitate theological movement which will guide the Church towardsa better future and well-being of her members.

Empowerment, Diakonia and Development

This department aims to accompany churches in their diakonical work ineradicating structural injustices that negate Christs promise of fullness oflife through impacting on knowledge, poverty eradication, improvement ofeconomic well-being and institutional sustainability on the African continent.This is achieved through efforts on leadership development and institutionalbuilding, migration, eradication of poverty, climate change, civil societyorganizations and development effectiveness.


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Family Life and Gender Justice

This new department aims at promoting family values and dignity for all, withspecial focus on women, youth, and children concerns. Relevant issues were,and will be, highlighted through workshops, data collection, and participation

in meetings of relevant sister organizations.

Peace and Advocacy

The department seeks to have the Church engage proactively in the preventionand resolution of conicts as well as in peace building through reconciliationand healing. Under the Peace and Advocacy department is the AACC LiaisonOfce to the African Union; the ofce engaged, with the AU in order to raisethe voice of the voiceless and ensure that the African churches concerns areheard at the Policy level of the Union. Other ofces are intertwined with

Peace and Advocacy. These are the ofces of Ecumenical Special Envoys one focusing on Sudan and South Sudan, the other on West and Central Africa(based in the regional ofce in Lom, Togo).

Finance and Administration

The basic role of this department is to compliment the work of the GeneralSecretarys ofce in ensuring effective use of both human and materialresources of the organization. Specically, the department plans together withother departments on issues of budgeting, nancing and fundraising efforts.

It takes the lead in accountability of resources and also oversees the strategicbusiness unit. During the period under review, the department continued toplay the above role.


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THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY

The rst half of the year 2014 has been dedicated to putting into placemechanisms and strategies to implement the new programmatic thrustsadopted by the General Committee in December, 2013. These newprogrammatic thrusts include, amongst others, the new department of

Family Life and Gender Justice. It was therefore necessary to ll the vacancyof the position of director and a call for candidates was made. This processended in April, when Rev. Prof. Priscille Djomhoue was appointed by the ExecutiveCommittee as director of the new department.

During the same period, the AACC was visited by numerous guests. Staff also paidvisits to the constituency in order to nurture the relationship and consolidate the gainsof previous years. The ofce has also maintained the rhythm of communicating withmembers, especially on special occasions like general assemblies or celebrationsof anniversaries.

It has also been noted that the relationship between the AACC and African Union(AU) has been consolidated by the visit to the leadership of the AU by the GeneralSecretary with some Church Leaders from the Republic of South Sudan. The crisesin South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Nigeria have also been the focus ofthe ofce and the secretariat as a whole; this has been done in close interactionwith the AACC Ecumenical Special Envoys in specic situations.

Prior to the Jubilee Assembly held in Kampala last year, a number of ecumenicaland theological networks were formed. In the new era we entered, we aim tobuild on the foundation raised and continue the number of processes initiated.

We can afrm with joy and certainty that the ownership of the AACC by itsconstituency is increasing.

The ofce of the General Secretary continued to nurture the relationship withEcumenical Players, especially the World Council of Churches (WCC). In thisregard, the ofce hosted and facilitated a meeting for Regional EcumenicalOrganization (REOs) and National Christian Councils (NCCs) in June, 2014. TheGeneral Secretary participated as well in the WCC Central Committee meetingin July, 2014.

1.0


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THEOLOGY, ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITHRELATIONS

T

he AACC being a Church based organization has purposed that theologyrather than ideology will form the basis of all its programmes. To this end,all the other programmes of AACC are undergirded by the work of theTheology department. Relevant contextual theological reection focused

on the needs of the Church in Africa has come to be the basis or anchor of all theprogrammes and activities of AACC. In the period under review, over 40% of thetime in the department was devoted to planning aimed at enhancing this in theplanned activities of the other departments. Strategically, the department tookcare of the spiritual life of all programme activities in all other departments. Thiswas in addition to strengthening the worship and spiritual life of the community ofbelievers at the AACC secretariat in Nairobi anchoring the spiritual life of thecommunity in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the chief proponent of unity and peace.

The following specic activities undertaken during the rst part of the year 2014

need special mention:

a) Consultation on Theology as a tool to overcome poverty in Africa

b) One day interactive seminar on the current landscape of theologicaleducation in Africa

c) Advisory Committee on Theology, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relationsmeeting

d) The on-going internship programme for young theologians

2.1 Consultation on Theology as a Tool to Overcome Poverty in Africa

One overbearing challenge of churches in Africa is that of endemic dehumanizingpoverty among the majority of the faithful in the Church and communities. AACCis committed to addressing this matter through contextual critical reections thatfocus on the use of theology as a tool to overcome poverty. A change in the mind

set of theological educators and congregational pastors will be critical in realisingthis.

2.0


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This programme that is planned to cover all the regions in Africa was launched on 6thMarch 2014 at the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS Butare,Rwanda) where 120 congregational pastors, staff and students participated. Thefocus was on Pastoral Leadership development. Congregational pastors togetherwith staff and students of PIASS were gathered for this launch.

The core issues for reection included:

The value of working hard

Imperative of good stewardship of resources (such as: Financialresources; Human resources our lives, skills, talents and gifts; Time;Land)

Theological basis for resource management for the sustainability of the

Church Theological critique of the prosperity gospel

Interpretation of biblical texts about poverty and the poor

Reading the signs of the time and taking advantage of presentingopportunities Kairos

Preaching the mobilizing gospel that can motivate people to work andget out of dehumanizing poverty

2.2 Interactive Seminar on the Current Landscape of Theological Education in

Africa

A one day interactive seminar on the current landscape of theological education inAfrica was held in Nairobi on 11th June as a prelude to the Advisory Committeeon theology and Interfaith Relations meeting. The participants were drawnfrom theological students and staff in seminaries and theological faculties withinand around Nairobi. A total of 55 participants were involved in the seminar.

The participants appraised Africas socio-political context, Africas theological/Christian education current trends, and critical theological issues from the regionsof the continent.

2.3 Advisory Committee on Theology, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

meeting

The fth Advisory committee meeting on Theology and Interfaith Relations wasconvened on 12th June 2014. The Advisory Committee continues to accompanythe theology department to achieve its objectives. Every year, the Advisory

Committee meets to evaluate the work done and to plan for the present andthe future. A summary of the Key resolutions adopted at this meeting are beingprocessed with the minutes of the meeting. The wisdom shared at this meeting will


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in part guide and inform the work of the department in 2014-2015.

2.4 Internship Programme

All Africa Conference of Churches has purposed itself to offer young theologians

exposure through training and internship programmes. Space for youngtheologians has been provided for short term engagement, exposure andecumenical experiences at the AACC secretariat. This deepens and strengthensecumenical theological knowledge among young theologians. Additionally, thisexposure prepares young theologians for the leadership of the growing Churchin Africa. For the period under review, the Theology, Ecumenical and InterfaithRelations department was honoured to host one young theologian Rev. MantimaHadiyo Thekiso. Rev Mantima is a Doctor of Philosophy student at the Universityof Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa.

2.5 Library, Archives and Documentation

The initial phase of our records and knowledge management for 2014 was focusedon the creation of an online digital repository centre for our history dating backto 1958, for users to access our rich ecumenical heritage for the benet of historyand research. Thus created, the digital repository has increased awareness anddemand for the organizational history by readers from across the continent andbeyond. The demand and the nature of requests that continue to be addressed bythe centre have pointed the way for the next logical step in our on-going work of

knowledge management.Digitization and upload ofkey content is proving ofutmost importance to ourconstituency in Africa andbeyond.

Furthermore, we have alsoset out to collect baselineinformation and data on the

knowledge managementstatus of churches andcouncils in Africa. Theoutcome will inform ourinterventions in order toeventually link up ourArchive facility with othersuch centres from around

the continent in order tobuild a critical base of information and resources for Africa-wide research on thework of the ecumenical Church.

Outcome and Impact

Advancement of the eld of theological education

through publications and collaborative works

Theology seen as an enabling tool for addressing

poverty

Increased ownership and visibility by the

churches of the work of the department

Space provided for increased ecumenical

theological knowledge as a basis for the unity of

the Church among young theologians


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3.0

EMPOWERMENT, DIAKONIA ANDDEVELOPMENT

In the period under review the department for Empowerment, Diakonia andDevelopment undertook the following activities: Assessment of the Organizational capacity of the Council of

Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL)

Leadership and Development training for Church and Council

Leaders

Facilitated a Consultation on Climate Change and Food Security

3.1 Assessment of the Organizational capacity of the Council of Churches in

Sierra Leone (CCSL)

This was a second visit to Sierra Leone which took place between 28thFebruaryto 6thMarch 2014. The purpose of the visit was to follow up the implementation

of the recommendations made during the rst visit in January 2013 when theassessment of the Organizational Capacity of the Council was initially undertaken.When the CCSL Executive Committee received the 2013 CCSL Assessment Report,it appointed four sub-committees to address the four key recommendations of thereport. The sub-committees were:

Strategic Planninga) Constitutional Review

b) Administrative and Programme Review

c) Resource Mobilization

All the sub-committees took their duties seriously throughout 2013. They sharedtheir work with the Empowerment Diakonia and Development department of theAACC through emails for critique and further advice.

Towards the end of 2013, CCSL invited the Director of Empowerment, Diakoniaand Development to visit the Council in February 2014 to have face to facediscussions on the ongoing work with the CCSL Executive Committee and the Staff.

They further developed the draft created by the Strategic Planning Committee.


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3.2 Leadership Development for Church Leaders

A training of Church and council leaders in Africa was held at the AACC DesmondTutu Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya from April 28th to May 1st, 2014.The course attracted 43 participants mainly heads of churches and councilrepresentatives from all over the continent.

Through this training participants were able to attain applicable knowledge onstewardship and the accountability of resources. They reviewed African casestudies with the goal of creating strategic plans for their own churches. Theparticipants capability for addressing the challenges of Church sustainability in

a rapidly changing context was enhanced greatly by this course. The gamut ofissues discussed included climate justice, peace building and conict resolution,Christian Muslim relations in Africa, and many more. A variety of learning methodswere used to realize this: power point presentations, lectures, guest speakers,case studies, group work, and plenary discussions. Participants were also given in-depth analyses from the various speakers such as Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagatof Kenya.

Outcome and Impact

The creation of a strategic plan that takes into consideration the member churches of

CCSL

Cycle of empowerment from the churches to the council and vice versa

Increased capacity of the development department of the council leading to other

departments being empowered

Initiation of the path towards rebranding and reshaping the CCSL

Church and council leaders that attended the training


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3.3 Consultation on Climate change and Food security

The department facilitated a Consultation on Climate Change and Food Securityfrom 13th to 14th May 2014. The venue of the Consultation was Nairobi, Kenya.The Consultation attracted 25 participants from within the AACC constituency, andprimarily comprising ofcers responsible for climate change/food security.

The relationship between climate change, agriculture and food security is complexand dynamic. Agriculture and food systems are heavily inuenced by socio-economic conditions such as changing patterns of consumption, macro-economicpolicies, political conict and the spread of disease. As food security will becomean ever-increasingly complex political and economic problem over the next fewyears, it becomes important that climate change adaptation and food securityshould be aligned.

The consultation was informed by three inter-linked themes that seek to reduce the vulner-ability of food producing communities to avariable and changing climate. These are:

Theme 1: Adaptation to Progressive ClimateChange This theme aims at painting a pictureabout the future in regards to climate changeand its effects on agricultural production and

food security.Theme 2: Adaptation through ManagingClimate Risk - This theme seeks to addressescurrent risks associated with climate variability.

Theme 3:Pro-poor Climate Change MitigationThis theme seeks to inuence development

strategies in a manner that they are able toadvance food security through fortied rural livelihoods and sound environmental

goals in the face of a changing climate; and will seek to identify and prioritizeinstitutional and policy options for overcoming obstacles to implementing thesestrategies.

Objectives Map out various initiatives related

to climate change and food

security that member churches are

undertaking,

To exchange information and share

challenges faced in relation to

climate change and food security,

To deliberate and come up with

strategies through which churches

may engage their congregations

for increased food security in the

midst of climate variability,

To network and jointly strategize on

how to engage other stakeholders

(national, regional and global)

for increased food security in the

midst of climate variability.

Outcome and Impact Appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies are beginning to be

mainstreamed into member churches development programs,

Improved database and framework for collaboration on responses to climate change and

food insecurity by member churches,

Member churches are able to apply this new knowledge on how to inuence for alternative

policy and program options so as to impact positively on agriculture and food security underclimate change incorporated national development strategies in their respective countries.


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3.4 Pan-African Interfaith Summit

During the period under consideration the AACC jointly with other faith basedorganizations such as the Organization of Africa Instituted Churches (OAIC),Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa(CAPA), Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)and others met multiple times to prepare for the above-mentioned summit. The summitwas held at Kampala, Uganda from1st to 2nd July 2014. The aim of thissummit was to prepare African Faith

Leaders input for the United Nationsmeeting to be held in September laterthis year. The summit and its follow upprogramme also presented AfricanFaith Leaders with the opportunityto engage African governments andinstitutions in embracing policies andpractices that are more conducive topromoting reconciliation, economicand social emancipation, and other advancements that promise the upholding of

human dignity and wellbeing of their citizens.

Climate Change and Food Security Consultation Participants

Outcome and Impact Good ecumenical representation on

issues that have global impact,

Active participation in conjunction

with member churches and partners,

Increased networking with ecumenical

partners and basis set for continued

cooperation

Increased ecumenical advocacy at the

international level in Africa


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4.0

FAMILY LIFE AND GENDER JUSTICE

The family life and gender justice department came into existence after theAACC Jubilee Assembly held in June 2013 in Kampala Uganda to promotefamily values and dignity for all, especially the most vulnerable. The overallobjective of the department is to address the specic concerns of families, women,youth and children, as well as mobilizing churches to care for the harmony andwell-being of various categories of individuals and communities.

The department has the following strategic thrusts:

Women Concerns and Family Values

Youth and Children Concerns

Health and Healing /HIV-AIDS

Inclusion of People Living with Disabilities

At the beginning of the year, we embarked on identifying priorities for thedepartment for the year 2014 and 2015. The activities carried out during theperiod under review were as follows:

4.1 Women Database

At the beginning of the year the department commenced a thorough exerciseof updating of the data base of women leaders engaged in AACCs memberchurches and National Christian Councils for networking. This was aimed at comingup with a database of women leaders that is up to date for networking andsharing of information. A database has been created and is up to date. This hasprovided us with a comprehensive list of the women leaders from our memberchurches and National Christian Councils that we will be engaging within ourwork for the coming year. We have also used this database to share pertinentinformation concerning news on emerging issues from the continent as receivedfrom the AACCs secretariat.

4.2 Fellowship of the Least Coin

Circle of Prayer -The Fellowship of the Least Coin (FLC) is a world-wide ecumenicalmovement of prayer for peace, justice and reconciliation. Through this movement

Christian women around the world seek fellowship with each other and are


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reminded to live a reconciled and forgiving life with others. For many years FLChas continually supported the AACC womens work in the continent. Every yearthe Fellowship of the Least Coin sends an invitation to the AACC for contributionof prayers and meditation to be published in its Annual Circle of prayer booklet.This year we received invitation for 2-3 women from our region, preferably from

different countries, to write meditation articles for the FLC Circle of Prayer Vol.22. The theme was All Gods Children and two prayers were submitted forconsideration.

4.3 Capacity Building Workshop for Women in East Africa

The department organized a two-day workshop on capacity building for womenfrom East Africa from 16th to 19th June 2014 in Nairobi Kenya at the Desmond TutuConference Centre. The meeting was attended by 30 participants representingwomen from AACC member churches, and National Christian Councils from EastAfrica and the Indian Ocean. This meeting was convened as one of the departmentscore activity of addressing womens concerns in the continent targeting women andleadership.

The objectives of this workshop were to provide a space for learning and sharingexperiences where participants will enhance their capacities and understanding

on issues of women and leadership, be introduced to the women ministry andsharing of experiences, interrogate the role of women in church and society

Participants of the capacity building workshop


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looking at the opportunities and challenges,gender inequality and poverty, understand thebiblical perspectives on gender and how theycan use the bible as tool for understanding

gender issues in the Church. Participants sharedtheir experiences about the work they do withother women, networks and how they would goback home to implement what they learnt. Theworkshop had morning devotions targeted atspecic themes on women and leadership.

4.4 Church Leaders Summit on Millennium

Development Goals

From 18th June to July 3rd, the Director ofthe department, Rev Prof. Priscille Djomhoueattended the Pan-African Interfaith leaderssummit on post Development Agenda, inKampala, Uganda. This summit was held 1st-2nd July and was preceded by women summit during which she gave a paper onthe theme: Inspiring churches and religions to uphold women and vulnerable peoplesdignity: A way toward African Development.

She also moderated the session on the report of the groups discussion, and

conducted the team which drafted on the Africa womens statement on the FaitLeaders position paper on post 2015 MDGs.

4.5 Health and Healing /HIV-AIDS

Following an invitation from St Pauls University Rev. Prof. Priscille, joined otherwomen from churches across Africa who gathered in Kenya at the JumuiaConference Centre Limuru, from 19th to 24th June 2014. This was an ecumenicalconference that focused on the achievements, challenges and opportunities ofwomens ministry in African churches over the past 30 years, as well as theirresponses to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. During the conference, Rev. Prof Priscillehad an opportunity to represent the AACC and talk about the AACCs womenswork.

4.6 Child Safeguarding Policy

The AACC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children under theage of 18 to ensure that they develop peacefully and live in a safe environmentenjoying life abundantly. At the beginning of the year time was dedicated todrafting a child protection policy to be adopted by the AACC for the prevention,safeguarding and protecting the children from any form of abuse.

Focus Topics The Role of Women in

Church and Society

- Opportunities and

Challenges Biblical perspectives on

gender - The Bible as a tool

for understanding Gender

issues in the Church

Understanding gender

and gender issues in the

Church, such as gender

mainstreaming and the

Impact of gender inequality

on sustainable development Gender and Human

Trafcking

Ecumenical Collaboration


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The child safeguarding policy was completed and has been in place since 29thApril 2014, having been nalized and signed in the same month. AACC is

now popularizing the policy to its member churches creating awareness on theimportance of having a child safeguarding policy in place in our churches.

Lef-right: Ms. Zipporah Mwaura and Rev. Mantima Tekiso

Outcome and Impact

Creation of a platform focusing on the needs of the family

in general, and specically Women and Youth, as mandated

by the 10th AACC General Assembly

Increased awareness on the rights of the African child and

the need for child policies in member churches and partner

organizations


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PEACE AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMME

During the period under review the department focused on critical effortsin South Sudan, Central African Republic and other areas of high-leveldiplomacy and advocacy.5.1 Ofce of the Ecumenical Special Envoy for South Sudan and Sudan

The ofce has been deeply engaged in the South Sudan Crisis since mid-December2013 when ghting broke out in Juba. The engagement involved visits to Juba,meetings in Nairobi, and the presence in Addis Ababa to accompany the IGAD-sponsored peace talks.

5.1.1 Shuttle Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Consultations

During the visits in January 8th to 10th and February 10th to 12th the EcumenicalSpecial Envoy held meetings with multiple actors. These included the heads ofmember Churches of the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), the SSCCleadership, the ecumenical development partners (both ACT Alliance and membersof Caritas International leadership), Civil Society including women organizationsand academics, ambassadors of various embassies, President Salva Kirr, VicePresident James Wani Igga, and several cabinet ministers.

In May, from 2ndto 3rd, therewas a high-level

ecumenical visitby a delegationcomprising Dr.Agnes Abuom,Moderator ofthe WCC CentralCommittee, Rev. Dr.Olav Fykse Tveit,WCC General

Secretary, Dr.John Nduna, General Secretary ACT Alliance, Dr. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda,Secretary General of the World Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA)

5.0

South Sudanese Church leaders with H.E. Erastus Mwencha (in the blue tie), the

Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, after a meeting with him at his ofce


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and Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the Ecumenical Special Envoy for South Sudan andSudan.

Meetings were held with the highest level leadership of both the church andgovernment in S.S including Vice President James Wani Igga. A very informativesession took place with the four ex-Political Prisoners who had been recentlyreleased.

5.1.2 IGAD Peace Talks

In Addis Ababa the presence of the AACC liaison ofce to the AU, the WCCEcumenical Accompanier, and South Sudanese Church representatives havecontinued to carry the ecumenical mandate at the IGAD-led Peace Talks andNegotiations between the Government of South Sudan and SPLM in OppositionLeader Dr. Riek Machar. Their role was dened by two important consultationsorganized by the Ecumenical Envoy; one in Juba in January where the concept ofthe ministry of presence at the peace talks was envisaged by Dr. Agnes Abuom, theModerator of WCC Central Committee; the second was the Nairobi consultationheld in March where the theme of STOP THE WAR NOW was articulated.

The ofce of the Ecumenical Special Envoy organized a trip to Addis Ababa

for Archbishop Paulino Lukudu, Archbishop Daniel Deng and Samuel Kobia toaccompany and witness the signing of the Agreement on 9th May. Both the SouthSudanese Government and Riek delegations were pleased to see the presence ofthe Church Leaders and the Ecumenical Special Envoy because they believe thatthe Church and ecumenical community has a big role to play in bringing peaceto South Sudan.

5.1.3 Additional Consultations and Ecumenical Coordination

Multiple consultations and meetings were convened with Kenyan government

leaders, South Sudanese Diaspora, a number of ambassadors and diplomats(British, Finnish, German, Australian, Belgian, France, American, and Norwegian),ecumenical development partners with signicant work in South Sudan, South

High level ecumenical engagement with the AU, at the

ofce of the AU Commission Deputy Chairperson


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Sudanese women, students and scholars based in Kenya.

From March 2nd to 3rd the AACC hosted a consultation on the theme TheImperative of a Coordinated Ecumenical Response to the South Sudan Crisis cameup with a plan of action for Advocacy, and Healing and Reconciliation Process.

During this consultation a statement and a communiqu with the theme of STOPTHE WAR NOW was articulated. One of the urgent actions to be taken up wasre-engagement with all the stakeholders especially the S.S government leadership,the SPLM in opposition, SPLM leaders (former detainees), SSCC member Churches,the diplomatic community and the civil society organizations. The visit to Juba on2-3 May was made in that context.

5.1.4 The South Sudan Support Group Nairobi (SSSG-N)

The ofce of the envoy convened the rst South Sudan Support Group Nairobi(SSSG-N) on 15th May. This is an informal platform that brings together for mutualupdating organizations (both governmental and nongovernmental) committed to,and interested in supporting a peaceful, just, prosperous and democratic SouthSudan. The prevailing Crisis in South Sudan rolled back many of the gains achievedsince independence. Both regional and international community should thereforeconcert efforts towards addressing the Crisis to reverse the trend and reset theyoung nation on the right track. The SSSG-N is an initiative towards that end.

The second meeting of the SSSG-N on 29th May provided an opportunity to

get a brief on the situation inSouth Sudan since the signingof the Agreement to Resolve theCrisis in South Sudan (Agreement)between President Salvar Kiir andDr. Riek Marchar. The speakerswere two representatives of theformer South Sudan detainees,Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuothand Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho anda South Sudanese Member ofParliament Hon. Cornelius Koryom.The eleven former detainees arean entity by themselves which isformally recognized byIGAD asone of the stakeholders at thenegotiations in Addis Ababa.

The third SSSG-N meeting on

26th June was addressed byGeneral Lazaro Sumbeiywo,IGAD Special Envoy and Co-

Outcome and Impact

Increased awareness of the importance

of ecumenical input in the peace

discussions

Increased visibility of the churches and

councils as co-actors in peace efforts

Synergy in collaborative efforts of

ecumenical organizations responding

to the crisis

Maintenance of dialogue with relevant

actors involved in the conict directly

and indirectly

Enhanced relationship with member

churches and the councils in Sudan and

South Sudan


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Chair of the South Sudan Peace Talks in Addis Ababa. Sharing on the status of theAddis Ababa Peace Talks, H.E Sumbeiywo gave a brief over-view of the IGADPeace Talks from the time it was tasked to bring peace in South Sudan on 27thDecember 2013. He highlighted the successes made and also outlined a numberof shortcomings and challenges. So far two Agreements had been signed but thetalks were adjourned indenitely when the Rebels side decided to temporarilyboycott the sessions. The mediators will use the lull to consult with regional leaders.Hon Sumbeiywo underlined the pivotal role of the faith-based organization inpeace building in South Sudan.

5.2 The AACC-African Union Liaison Ofce

The AACC has ofcially been included in the Peace and Security Council (PSC)Open Sessions from 2014 due to our partnership with the AU and commitmenttowards peace on the continent. The PSC of the AU is a central decision-makingbody in the AU, and is believed to be the strongest body in the AU. The OpenSessions are platforms for civil society and other invited delegates such asEmbassies to address the Council on issues on the continent.

During the 10 year anniversary of the PSC on 25th May 2014, the AACCcongratulated the PSC on its achievements and further addressed the PSC on theplight of the African migrants and called upon the Council to address this matterunder its mandate to protect and preserve life of Africans. The AACC also urged

the PSC to make use of the great and immense resources of African Interfaithleadership and Elders of the African communities in areas of Conict resolutionand management.

As mentioned earlier, the AACC-AU Ofce has for the past months accompaniedthe South Sudan Church leaders delegation in the meetings with the IGAD-ledmediation processes and have had meetings with the IGAD mediators. The AACC-AU ofce has also engaged in other activities listed below.

5.2.1 YWCA: Young Women Engaging with African Union Summit: 21 January,Addis Ababa

The AACC-AU Ofce in January was part of the World YWCA meetings duringthe AU Summit. The AACC-AU ofce during the meetings spoke on its work andinvolvement with the AU and also share personal experiences on ground forinstance the work of the AACC on Human trafcking and migration. During themeeting, the YWCA team drafted a document on African Renaissance and theFuture Young Women Want along with recommendations to the African Union. Thismeeting served as a continuation of the partnership the AACC-AU ofce has with

fellow Ecumenical Organisations that meet during the AU Summits on the areas oflobbying and advocating to the Policy makers.


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5.2.2 AU SUMMIT: 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, Agriculture

and Food Security, 21-31 January, Addis Ababa

The AACC had the honour of being invited to attend the AU Summit under thetheme, Agriculture and Food Security. During the Summit, one of the majoragendas adopted was the Common African Position on the Post 2015 DevelopmentAgenda. This Agenda is one of the areas the AACC will be working closely with theAU in terms of advocacy. The AU Economics Affairs department which handles thePost 2015 Development Agenda is in talks with the AACC on future programmesthis year on advocacy of the Common Africa Position. These meetings will involveall stakeholders in this process for the continent.

5.2.3 Open Session Peace and Security Council: Women, Children and other

Vulnerable groups in Armed Conict: 8 May, Addis Ababa

For the past years, the PSC has held sessions on Women, Children and othervulnerable groups in Armed Conict. The AACC-AU ofce being part of the OpenSession was invited to attend this session on the above topic. During the meeting,participants shared on the current situation on women and children in armedconicts and gave recommendations to the PSC based on their own experiences onground. It is clear to note that women and children are always victims of violenceand are affected deeply during conict. The PSC took stock of the current ongoingsituation of children affected by armed conict and possibilities of partnership onthe above matter were further discussed among members.

5.2.4 Churches Witnessing with Migrants 5th International Consultation: 12-

16 May, Stockholm, Sweden

The Churches Witnessing with Migrants held its Fifth International Consultationheld in conjunction and prior to the Seventh Global Forum on Migration andDevelopment. As a direct follow up to last years 4th Consultation in New York,the AACC-AU shared its updates on work on migration in Africa and also itswork with on advocacy on Human trafcking and Migration. Participants revisitedthe CWWM Advocacy Paper from the previous year and shared reports of its

use and implementation methods by the different groups. Also shared was theadvocacy activities undertaken by churches and migrants organizations with theirgovernments or with diplomatic missions prior to the consultation.

5.2.5 UN-OCHA-AU: Managing risks of Humanitarian Crises. 12 June, Addis

Ababa

As member of the AU Emergency Preparedness and Response sub-clusterprogramme under the Political Affairs Department, the AACC was invited to attend

the launch of the report Saving Lives Today and Tomorrow by African Union andUN OCHA-AU Liaison Ofce. The panel presented its main ndings of the studyand initiated a dialogue with participants around its recommendations which urge


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humanitarians - working closely with Governments and development actors - toshift towards a model that anticipates crisis, act before they become catastrophesand prevent their recurrence. The AACC during the discussions spoke on ethicsand morals and how more instruments need to be put in place in terms of receivinghumanitarian aid because in many cases it has been noted that humanitarian aid

does not reach the people in need.

5.2.6 International Evangelical Church (IEC): Seeking Peace through

Reconciliation: 14 June, Addis Ababa

The AACC was invited by the IEC and AU partners to attend the above meetingon reconciliation. The meeting was designed in a way for participants to get adeeper meaning of reconciliation as a tool for building peace and restoring brokenrelationships. The panel present discussed various case studies of reconciliation

based on South Africa experience, reconciliation in Horn of Africa and the Rwandain National Reconciliation. The AACC given its work throughout the 50 years ofreconciliation contributed to the discussions on the concerned topics.

5.2.7 Churches Commission with Migrants in Europe (CCME): General

Assembly 25-29 June, Sigtuna, Sweden

The AACCAU ofce was invited by CCME to speak at the CCME 19th CCMEGeneral Assembly in June this year. The AACC spoke on a panel on CrossingBorders- at what price which focused on the current situation of Europeanboarders, migration trends and the Churches responses. As the AACC is workingwith the AU on Migration and human trafcking, it gave a platform on howthe AACC is advocating to the policy makers at the AU on the current issues onmigration and advocating for the protection of migrants. The AACC spoke on itsproposal on lobbying with their Member Churches to governments on the issues ofmigration and human trafcking and also focused on the push factors that lead tomigration and of individuals from their home countries. The meeting thus far leadto a greater partnership between the AACC and CCME especially on our mutualwork on migration and protection of migrants.

5.2.8 Pastoral visit to Sudan and South Sudan: June 16-24, 2014

The AACCAU Ecumenical Envoy on invitation joined the Pastoral visit of GermanEvangelical Churches (EKD) to Sudan and South Sudan to visit the Church Councils ofthe two Countries. The team comprised of ve Germans and the AACC EcumenicalEnvoy. It was lead by the presiding bishop of EKD, Rt. Rev. Nikolaus Schneider. Theobjective of the visit was to pay Christian solidarity to the Churches in their difculttime, especially to the Churches in S. Sudan who are since December 2013 in warsituation as a result of conict created in the countrys political leadership.

In Sudan the Pastoral team visited the new Council of Churches that is struggling


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to organize itself and to observe difcult situation the Churches experience as aresult of the countrys Sharia Law.

5.2.9 Plans for the Formation of the Church Council in Ethiopia

The Liaison ofce has been mandated by AACC General Secretary to encourageand help organize a Council of Churches among the member Churches of AACCand the Ethiopian Catholic Church. The discussion has been going on now for sometimes. There is an encouraging step towards the formation of the Council. Both theEthiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and the Catholics are ready and theyare in consultation with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.

5.3 Ofce of the Ecumenical Special Envoy for West and Central Africa

The regional ofce situated in Togo, which serves as the base of the EcumenicalSpecial Envoy for West and Central Africa, focused its efforts in the rst half of theyear on strengthening the relationship between the AACC and various structuresof collaboration, supporting member churches in difcult situations, providinginformation and opportunities for training of members, and more. The envoy, Rev.Dr. Simon Dossou, focused on the following issues that touched on peace buildingand conict resolution:

5.3.1 Engagement in the Central African Republic

During the period under review the envoy, Rev. Dr. Simon Dossou, mainly focusedon efforts in Central African Republic (CAR). A high-level delegation comprisingRev. Thierry Muhlbach (President of CEVAA - Communaut dglises en mission),Rev. Dr. Simon Dossou, Pastor Jean-Arnold de Clermont (President of DFAP -Protestant Service to missions from France), Mme Claire Bernole (journalist at Signof the Times of the Adventist Church in Paris), and Pastor Clestin Kiki (CEVAA

General Secretary) made a joint CEVAA-AACC-DFAP solidarity visit to CAR,from 01st to 08th April 2014.

Outcome and Impact

Increased scope in relations with the AU and its organsin Addis Ababa Increased partnership in the AUs programs and activities focusing on areas of

mainly peace and some political areas

Increased space for advocacy with the Peace and Security Commission

Increased progress towards formalization of the on-going work with the AU

Panel of the Wise focusing on conict prevention

Increased partnership with member churches in Ethiopia and South Sudan


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They met with various religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim, as well aspolitical authorities and other dignitaries. Some of the conclusions drawn from theinformation rich visit were eye-opening. The Slka are mostly made up mainlyof Chadian and Sudanese mercenaries and are not an Islamic armed branch- they looted both Christians and Muslims. The Antibalakas have been used bypoliticians and have no support from the Church. The crisis has been brewing formany years due to neglect of various provinces in the region but only came to a

boil in December of 2013; it is a purely political crisis that is playing up ethnicand religious tensions, often aided by misinformation and the media. The religiousconfessions always lived in harmony until the current crisis.

5.3.2 Peace and Solidarity Visit to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The problem of doctrinal interpretation of the Kimbanguist Church in DRC hasbecome very worrying in the ecumenical movement in recent years. Later inApril 2014 from the 26th to 30th, AACC, WCC and OAIC decided to visit thisChurch and understand its doctrinal position before deciding whether or not toexclude them even temporarily from the ecumenical movement. At the end, it wasdecided to set up a steering committee of 13 people including delegates of the

Members of the delegation visiting the local community


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Kimbanguist Church. The main goal is to remain in cohesion which will be helpfulfor the action of the whole Church in Congo in the sphere of peace and holisticdevelopment of human beings. Early warning to preserve peace will also be moreeasily achieved in the coming years. . The second part of the visit included a forumcalled Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace, where the results of the AACC general

assembly in Kampala last year were read and discussed with local context andapplications. It was also the opportunity to encounter many personalities of thecountry to pave the way towards peaceful elections during the coming year.

5.3.3 Peacekeeping Seminar in Kaduna, Nigeria

The AACC co-organised a Forum for Christian Young People from Kaduna State,and also a Seminar for Christian and Muslim leaders from the same area ofnorthern Nigeria. This was held between 16th and 20th June 2014. The main

aim of this meeting was to raise awareness among the religious communities ofthe State, and thus more broadly through northern Nigeria, of the need to resistprovocation from extremist groups of wherever they come from.

The subjects addressed in small workshops followed by plenary feedback forfurther sharing and discussions were:

Obstacles to peace and peaceful co-existence: focussing on Kaduna

Challenges and perspectives for constructive Christian-Muslim relations

How to deepen Christian-Muslim commitment to peace and to thedevelopment of Kaduna and beyond: reections and actions

5.4 Migration and Human Trafcking

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and AACC held a joint consultation for

Outcome and Impact

Increased awareness of the importance of ecumenical input in peace

discussions

Increased visibility of the churches and councils as co-actors in peace efforts

Synergy in collaborative efforts of ecumenical organizations responding to the

varied crises

Maintenance of dialogue with relevant actors involved in the conict directly

and indirectly

Enhanced relationship with member churches and the councils Central and

Western Africa


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Regional Ecumenical Organizations and National Councils of Churches from 2nd to7th June at the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The AACC ledthe eighth session of the consultation, focusing on Migration and Human Trafcking.A background was given highlighting the magnitude of human trafcking(the UNstates that across the globe, at any one time 2.4 million people are victims ofhuman trafcking and 80 percent of them are being exploited as sexual slaves).

The ongoing human trafcking in the Sinai was highlighted, the inhumane treatmentof victims and their families especially, and the corresponding ecmunical mandateto intervene. The analysis and contextual look into the issue identied many factorsleading to human trafcking, such as:

Poverty and unemployment- a correlation was drawn between thetypical trafcking patterns and the World Bank Country classicationsof economic development indicating that economic necessity is drivinghuman trafcking.

Social norms that discriminate against and devalue the status women& girls in society.

Increasing global demand for organ transplants -creating aconducive environment for an international black market.

Corrupt state ofcials and inadequately trained law enforcementofcers

Institutional challenges As a transnational problem, issues of Law,Policy, Enforcement and accurate data are a challenge.

Globalization- easy communication and travels, the internet and thesocial media facilitate sex trafcking & its protability through speedand frequency of access to a wider clientele.

Civil war and social conict are push factors for migration andtrafcking.

The multiplicities of effects that result from human trafcking were said to including:-

Loss of dignity Depression, guilt and self-blame, anger and rageand extreme stress. Victims loose autonomy or control over their ownlives.

Trauma bond- Victim becomes attached to perpetrator of crime.Most affects girls and women. It hinders escape and response topsychological recovery treatment.

Participants reactions ranged from shock at the ignorance of the issue of humantrafcking by churches in all the regions but more importantly on the urgency the


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situation calls for. Participants wereconcerned that human trafckingreduces the human being into acommodity for trade or exchangefar off from Gods intended dignity.

They observed that two inalienablerights of humanity Liberty andfreedom- were put at a great riskby human trafcking.

5.5 The AACC Peace Training

Manual

The rst half of 2014 was alsofocused on extensive editing of the AACC Peace Training Manual, and we areon-course to publish it and its key points in the form of a condensed booklet (thePeace Now Information Pack). Constant feedback from Church Leaders via email,or in person at consultations, on areas of commonality and overlap is continuouslyused in revising these documents. Members, Friends, and Family of the AACC shallsoon be able to access this training tool on the AACC website. The main modulesof the training manual are:

Conict Causes, Proximate and Drivers in Africa

Current Dynamics and Prospects for Peace and Peaceful Continent

Strategic Conict Mitigation and Peace Building Systems and Processes

Modules for Peace Building and Conict Mitigation

o Generating Common Understanding of Peace, Conict and ConictDynamics

o Conict Mapping and Pre-Conict Peace Building Strategies

o Governance, Peace Building and Conict Mitigation

o Social-Religion and Inter-religious Peace Building Mechanisms

o Post-conict Peace Building Interventions

Peace Building within the Church (titled Planning for Peace Building in theAfrican Church in previous reports)

Materials for Further Reading

Outcome and Impact

Church leaders increased their

awareness of the problem of humantrafcking and what can be done to

reverse the trend

Increased efforts for advocacy on the

issue, both at the local level, as well

as international


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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

The basic role of this department is to compliment the work of the GeneralSecretarys ofce in ensuring effective use of both human and material resourcesof the organization. Specically, the department plans together with otherdepartments on issues of budgeting, nancing and fundraising efforts. It takes thelead in accountability of resources and also oversees the strategic business unit.

6.1 Outcome and Impact Orientation Workshop 24th - 26th June, 2014

In June staff from the AACC participated in a workshop on report writing,monitoring, and evaluation titled Outcome and Impact Orientation. This workshopwas conducted under the auspices of Bread for the World and supported byCORAT Africa.

The workshop provided collaborative and shared learning of various ecumenicalorganisational document writing practices, and was aimed at increasing eachorganisations efciency and ability to accurately monitor and evaluate programs.

6.2 Unaudited Financial Report January-June 2014

This document has been shared with partners and members separately. For asummarized breakdown, please see Appendix I.

6.0

aacc mid-year report for 2014

Documents

aacc midyear report

people of africa

african continent

fellowship of churches

accompaniment of churches

africa academy of theology

africaastheol association

religious studiesaacc