African Churches Support World Social Forum

Churches in Africa are hoping to boost their work against social injustice at the World Social Forum (WSF) when it comes to Kenya in January 2007.

The forum is seen as a more people-centred alternative to the World Economic Forum and gives social justice campaigners the opportunity to formulate a more coordinated response to neo-liberal economic policies.

It is also a chance for civil society groups working for social and economic justice to network.

South African Council of Churches general secretary Eddie Makue said: "There has been a perception that WSF is a group of radicals meeting, but we in the ecumenical movement feel we need a radical change in order to bring about justice."

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and Caritas Africa released a joint communiqué last month following their Ecumenical Consultation towards the World Social Forum.

The communiqué addressed the theme "Another World is Possible; Together for Social Justice" and said: "We are concerned that we live in a world characterized by relations of subjection, suffering, deprivation and dispossession. An overall contempt for human dignity and the sanctity of life has moved to the centre of human existence. These trends need to be reversed."

The Caritas/AACC Ecumenical Platform promised to advocate for the causes of poverty, HIV/AIDS, the environment, economic globalisation, governance, children and youth, and empowerment and development.

The communiqué said that poverty had become "a scourge in Africa leaving millions of people hapless". It urged the development of "innovative approaches which among others, will lead to a path of humility to enable humankind restore humanity to millions who have been dehumanized by poverty".

"We advocate for equitable sharing of development opportunities and benefits," it added.

The communiqué also made the strong recommendation that HIV/AIDS be given special status as an ongoing "human crisis".

The All African Council of Churches and Caritas Africa were joined by the Brazilian Ecumenical Forum at their recent consultation. Brazil is the country credited as being the birthplace of the World Social Forum, which was first held six years ago in the country.

The 2007 gathering will be the first time that the World Social Forum takes place in Africa as it gathers in Nairobi from 20 to 25 January 2007.