The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) conference being held in Nairobi Kenya.eight Countries of Eastern Africa, referred to as AMECEA RegionKenya,Uganda,Sudan,Ethiopia,Eritrea,Malawi,Tanzania, and Zambia. Djibouti, and Somalia are Affiliate membersThe conference which started on Wednesday June 29, and ends on July 7, 2011 was be officially opened by Kenya’s President Emilio Mwai Kibaki.

The theme of the conference is: AMECEA family of God celebrating a Golden Jubilee of evangelization in solidarity.The conference which marks 50 years of evangelization in Africa also coincides with the 17th AMECEA Plenary Assembly.

 

The two events are celebrated at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi.It will be attended by over 350 delegates including 150 bishops from Eastern Africa. On June 28, the attending bishops held a one day retreat at St Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Langata, Nairobi.Before settling down for the conference of Wednesday 29th June, the delegates took time off to commission an ultra modern learning resource centre of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa(CUEA). Merdardo Cardinal Mazombwe Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Lusaka officially commissioned the centre. It is named after the late pontiff, John Paul VI.

 

COMMUNIQUE OF THE SECOND AMECEA YOUTH COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP -HELD AT DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA , FROM 2ND TO 7TH MAY, 2010

 

The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), comprising the Episcopal Conferences of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of Djibouti and Somalia in partnership with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications organized this Second AMECEA Youth Communication Workshop under the theme, “Word and Image (Picture) at the Service of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation” here in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania at the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC)’s Kurasini Centre, from 2nd – 7th May, 2010.

 

Preamble: To all people of good will!

 

We, the AMECEA Youth, in collaboration with our National Communication directors; national directors of youth offices as well as representatives of various religious congregations of sisters greet you all in the name of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom!

 

REAFFIRMING with, profound gratitude, the important role of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, supported by its generous benefactors, in making possible this second youth workshop;

 

ENCOURAGED by the insightful pronouncements on justice, peace and reconciliation made by our own Catholic Bishops, regarding the youth, at the second Synod of Bishops for Africa that took place from 4th – 25th October 2009 under the theme: The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: You are the Salt of the Earth…You are the Light of the World (Mt 5: 13, 14);

 

WELCOMED and embraced the description given to us by our Bishops at the Second African Synod when they referred to us, the youth of Africa, as the treasure, gift and hope of the Church and society;INSPIRED deeply by the moving testimonies from Kenya and Uganda and the work being carried out by the Catholic Church and our fellow youth in fostering peace and reconciliation, in the aftermath of the violent conflicts in these two countries;ANIMATED and encouraged by the many positive activities, aimed at fostering justice, peace and reconciliation, that our fellow youth have started undertaking in the AMECEA countries since our first youth workshop convened in Nairobi, Kenya;DETERMINED to start with ourselves, as individuals, in leading a way of life that is based on justice, peace and reconciliation n and one that is grounded on the gospel values and principles of mutual respect for the dignity of every human person;

 

The Second AMECEA Youth workshop hereby states the following:

 

1. A word of gratitude As AMECEA youth, we express our sincere appreciation to the AMECEA Secretariat and the Pontifical Council for Social Communications for organizing the second AMECEA Youth Communications Workshop. In particular, we appreciate the support and personal attention given to us by His Grace Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, the President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. We also thank, in a special way, the Chairman of the AMECEA Social Communications Department, Right Rev. Emmanuel Obbo for his presence at this workshop.

 

We acknowledge with deep gratitude the hospitality of the Tanzanian Government, the people of Tanzania, in particular the youth, for their generosity, the Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, the Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam and the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference for hosting us at Kurasini centre.

 

2. Continued solidarity with the youth of Eritrea At this second AMECEA Youth Workshop, we once again note, with much regret, the absence of our fellow youth from Eritrea due to various reasons such as the restrictive laws on travel imposed by the government of Eritrea. We offer our solidarity and prayers to this troubled nation and hope that one day we will be united with them.

 

3. The Power of Word and Image This youth workshop has given us an opportunity to renew and deepen our understanding of the power of words and images. Words and images can be strong vehicles for carrying messages of justice, peace and reconciliation. We thus reaffirm our conviction that only dialogue that is rooted in a genuine and mutual search for truth has the potential to unlock and promote growth in understanding and tolerance on the African continent.

 

We, therefore totally reject the use of violence as a means of resolving conflicts. To this end, we urge our brothers and sisters in Sudan to continue treading the path of peace and insist on all the warring parties, in Darfur, to work towards a peaceful resolution of this conflict that has caused so much loss of life and suffering.

 

4. Language that Promotes objective judgement and dialogue We urge Catholic media to strive for excellence and to uphold media ethics at all times. This calls for rigorous training of our staff and volunteers and espousing the use of language that promotes dialogue.Our language should be objective and allow for the possibility of negotiation and reconciliation between antagonizing parties. Our role, as media that promotes peace, will therefore endeavour for subtlety and sometimes even silence or restraint when tempted to condemn our opponents or enemies.

 

5. Speaking in a time of conflict Our countries in the AMECEA region, even when said to be peaceful nations without conflict, are nevertheless grappling with potential causes of conflict such as poverty, elections that lack credibility, unjust issues related to HIV and AIDS, bad governance, religious fanaticism, intolerance, partisan media, land related conflicts, environmental concerns and many other issues that can lead to violent confrontation.

 

As young Catholics working in the media industry, we will not be silent in the face of potential or actual situations of conflict. We resolve to provide leadership by acting in a proactive manner when confronted with potential conflict or by speaking out prophetically and timely in the face of conflict. We urge all Catholic media in Africa, to explore alternative, creative and innovative uses of the media with the view to promote human rights and the dignity of all human beings. These will include the production of media content that promotes justice, peace and reconciliation.

 

Catholic media should also continue to sensitize vulnerable youth against all forms of violence; advocate for the promotion of peace journalism; spearhead multi-media campaigns (print and electronic) in order to spread the messages of tolerance and reconciliation –especially at critical times such as national elections.

 

6. Appeal to our African Governments and Politicians We appeal to Governments and politicians in Africa to work towards reducing all forms of conflict and violence in our countries and communities. We look forward to a time when our Governments will embrace the spirit and letter of democracy.

 

We take note of the fact that most conflict usually starts in a small way. For all who care to see, the signs of trouble are always evident. Often, it is the unscrupulous agents who seek to benefit from conflict that plan, politicize and cause what is even low-level conflict to escalate.Those who thrive on violence and conflict must be challenged.

 

7. Corruption and conflict While acknowledging that the causes of conflict in our region are many-sided, we wish to highlight the role that corruption plays in Africa. Corruption has now reached endemic levels, permeating all sectors of society and negatively affects all aspects of development, creates inequalities and hinders important nation-building activities. We call upon all citizens in the AMECEA region, to do all they can to root out the evil of corruption.

 

8. Where there is hatred let me bring peace As youth, we pledge to promote peace building activities and to advocate for the eradication of poverty and HIV and AIDS among our people.

 

We have no doubt in our minds that another Africa is possible! An African continent where every citizen will feel safe; where Governments can conduct free and fair elections which do not end in conflict and violence; where diversity can be cherished; dissenting views are acknowledged and the youth respected and empowered to be better citizens. This Africa we dream about today is possible!

 

As our Bishops noted during the Second Synod for Africa (Preposition No. 48), the youth need equal opportunities and nations have the obligation to tackle problems of youth unemployment and poverty which often bring about insecurity and conflict in the countries.

 

Ultimately, the answer does not lie in bigger, stronger and well equipped African peace keeping forces. While these may be needed, in troubled spots of the continent, ultimate peace will only come about if the youth and everyone on the African continent will not only speak peace and love but will always act in peace and love.

 

Signed by youth representatives from the AMECEA member countries.more about AMECEA