Church Actors Striving for Justice and Peace – Opportunities and Challenges of Churches’ Involvement in Zimbabwe and Nigeria
The debate on the relationship of religion, peace and development has gained momentum during the last years. Churches and church-actors, rooted in and guided by the Christian faith, render a significant contribution to the prevention of violence, to the peaceful overcoming of conflicts and to the development and well-being of societies. Churches provide space for dialog and can mobilize for development. Churches provide healing of memories and reconciliation. Christian faith motivates for social and political action. Furthermore, Christian belief strengthens the faithful in situations of crisis. Against this background, GKKE aims to contribute to this debate with a special focus on Christian actors in Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
Due to the current political crisis in Zimbabwe and unprecedented levels of poverty, hunger, repression and violence, the churches have become very active and outspoken by denouncing corruption and calling for National Dialogue and transformation. The churches already do and will play an important role in paving the way for democracy and reconciliation in Zimbabwe. This contribution of churches to justice and peace in Zimbabwe will be a one of the major topics discussed.
Our key speakers and panelists are
- Simon Afala, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Jos, Nigeria
- Getrude Chimange, Justice and Peace Commission, Mutare, Zimbabwe
- Prelate Dr. Martin Dutzmann, GKKE, Berlin, Germany
- Prof. Dr. Heribert Hirte, Member of Parliament, Berlin, Germany
- Prof. Dr. Obiora Ike, Globethics, Geneva, Switzerland
- Dr. Kenneth Mtata, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Frederick Njobati, Otto-Friedrich-University, Bamberg, Germany
- Sylvia Servaes, Working Group on Peace and Development (FRIENT)/Misereor/GKKE, Bonn/Aachen, Germany
Moderation:
- Marie-Luise Frost, Humboldt-University, Berlin
- Philipp Öhlmann, Humboldt-University, Berlin
The expert talk will take place on October 26, 2020 from 10.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m. (CET) in English. Find the detailed program here: 20-10-26-expert talk. For registration, send an e-mail at the latest on October 23 to info@gkke.org. Registered participants will receive the invitation link (Zoom) on Friday October 23.
In the evening, starting at 6.00 p.m., the Protestant Academy Berlin invites to a panel discussion related to the GKKE expert talk. Title: “’Leaving no one behind’ – Without Sustainable Development no Just Peace”. For further information and registration, follow this link:
