EKD Press Releases
EKD Council travels to Africa
Delegation visits Namibia, South Africa and Ethiopia
September 4, 2008
Starting on September 10, a delegation of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) visits Namibia, South Africa and Ethiopia. The delegation is led by the Chair of the Council, Bishop Wolfgang Huber. Until September 22 the Council members Margot Käßmann, Nikolaus Schneider, Gudrun Lindner, Gerrit Noltensmeier and Barbara Rinke, together with the EKD Council Representative to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, Stephan Reimers, and the EKD Bishop for Foreign Relations, Martin Schindehuette, - the members being changed each time - will have made a stop at Windhoek, Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town and Addis Ababa.
They will visit the formerly German-speaking twin churches in Southern Africa and in the Horn of Africa and will talk with the churches and church councils of the respective regions. Besides, the Council delegation wants to take a look at development projects of partner organizations belonging to "Bread for the World" and the Church Development Service (EED) and will have also a talk with politicians. In all of the three countries the Council delegation will visit projects which support persons infected with HIV and people suffering from AIDS. In Namibia the progress having been made in the land reform will be explained to the delegation. In Ethiopia the Council members want to deal with the responsibility the religions have for the peace in that area and with the conditions for the work of the Non Government Organisations".
The Council delegation wants to examine the social, political and economical situation in the Horn of Africa and in Southern Africa during their visit to the African continent. Moreover, the delegation wants to discuss with politicians and with representatives of the local partner churches about the chances both parties have to work successfully in the above-mentioned fields. Questions of the ecumenical cooperation between the churches in the areas visited shall be touched upon by having several conversations. Furthermore, the Chair of the Council will take part in the bishop´s conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (ELCSA) in Cape Town.
Hanover, September 4, 2008
press office of the EKD
Christof Vetter
Information about the Council of the EKD: http://www.ekd.de/english/council.html