All Africa Conference of Churches invites young theologians (Theology students and practicing graduates in the ministry under 35 years age), to apply for a 10 days ecumenical theological encounter through training and participation in the forthcoming 12th General Assembly and 60th Anniversary. The training will take place at First Baptist Theological Seminary, Abuja – Nigeria from November 7th – 16th, 2023.The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) Theological Institute Programme started in 2008 at the 9th AACC General Assembly held in Maputo, Mozambique. Since then it has been a tradition for the AACC to bring together young theologians from all over the continent and beyond, for a two-week intensive theological training, with the possibility of interacting with senior church leaders, church delegates during the assemblies as well as getting special ecumenical exposure.This year’s theological institute is based on the AACC’s agenda for promoting intergeneration learning and mentorship of young theologians on ecumenical-related issues affecting Africa and beyond. This aims at producing present and future ecumenically-oriented leaders for African churches and the world at large.The 9th Theological Institute main focus is on the global ecumenical movement, its’ history, theology and current trends. This will be expounded in conjunction with the general assembly theme “THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US”, (2 Corinthians 5:14). There will be five main thematic areas namely;Development of the Ecumenical Movement, History (1910-2023), Theology and Trends;Global Ecumenical theologies on humanity dignity, Peace & Justice and Eco-Diakonia;Stewardship for a sustainable creation, productivity and abundant life (Gen 2: 13, John 10:10)Reconciliation for a just and equitable communities in Africa (1 Cor. 5: 18-19)Ethics and accountability in leadership and governance in AfricaObjectiveTo bring together young theologians mainly from Africa and beyond to equip them with theological knowledge and skill on the global ecumenical movement;To discuss global ecumenical theologies on humanity dignity, Peace & Justice and Eco-Diakonia in Africa;To promote ecumenical theological understanding of human responsibilities towards God’s creation, productivity and human flourishingTo constructively engage on how individuals and communities would embrace ethical and accountable leadership and governance in Africa;To theologically reflect on the AACC 12th General Assembly theme “THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US”, (2 Corinthians 5:14). Students will be involved in contextualizing this theme in response to the various needs; creation care-related issues affecting Africa like current droughts, hunger and climate change, gender injustices and inequality among others.To create impactive intergenerational learning by interacting with a number of ecumenical and pan African scholars, church leaders and ecumenical partners.ParticipationParticipants will be identified and selected from the list of applicants who will have submitted these applications as per the theological institute requirements (requirements will be published together with the institute’s advert at: www.aacc-ceta.org). Applicants must be young theologians from theological seminaries as well as practicing graduates from the member churches under the age of 35 years.Dates and VenueThe theological institute is planned to take place for 10 days from 7th to 16th November 2023. This year’s theological institute is graciously hosted by First Baptist Theological Seminary in Abuja, Nigeria. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been embroiled in civil wars and ethnic strife since independence. Factions throughout the country control various regions and oftentimes, the central government has little influence in these more remote areas. People seem to be left on themselves and, many turn to alternative means to “secure” themselves, including joining armed groups, who promise to meet their basic needs. In addition, DRC’s neighbors have very significant influence over security dynamics and routinely intervene to protect their national interests. This contributes to entrenched suspicion between communities across borders, fueled by rumor. The Eastern part of DRC holds enormous economic and social promise as the country strides towards a more stable and prosperous future. However, decades of war and conflict have hampered development efforts and created deep-seated mistrust between communities and their leaders. Intercommunal clashes between militia groups have severely disrupted social cohesion. The Mai-Mai group of militias who consider themselves as indigenous Congolese are fighting the cattle-herding Banyamulenge community – often labelled as outsiders due to their Rwandan origin. Continuous violence has led to widespread killings, looting, burning down of villages and large-scale displacement across South Kivu’s highlands. Decades of war, violence, and poverty have claimed the lives of over five million people. An absence of schools, health care, and reliable income-generating opportunities hinder communities' ability to emerge from crisis.  Religious institutions particularly the church has been on the vanguard in reconciliation and mediation. This has incessantly helped in addressing post conflicts societies by use of biblical, cultural and religious values, to address the deepened conflicts in Africa that keep re-emerging at the slightest provocations.The All Africa Conference of churches has always tried to maintain ecumenical pastoral presence for peace and reconciliation in difficult situations in many countries in Africa. The AACC has been involved in DRC peace processes for decades. Of recent, the AACC deployed eminent persons to DRC in 2019 to diffuse tensions related to the then just concluded elections. The AACC also sent a delegation of eight Eminent persons this last November 2022 and they engaged with different stakeholders to encourage the political authorities, the religious leaders and all people of influence to work and advocate for peace and stability as the country prepares to hold general elections slated for December 20, 2023. It is in this spirit of accompaniment of its member churches in the DRC that the AACC plans a roundtable consultation of religious leaders and actors to promote social cohesion, counter violent extremism and advocate for peace in the Eastern part of the DRCObjectives:Overall, the ecumenical visit and consultation seek to enhance the capacities of the religious actors to contribute toward trust building between communities and advocating for lasting peace in the eastern part of DRC.Specific objectives: to reflect on issues affecting social cohesion in the eastern part of DRC to enhance the knowledge and understanding of at least 50 religious leaders on issues of social cohesion and inequalitiesto strengthen the skills of at least 50 religious leaders on prophetic  advocacy actions for peaceful coexistence.to enable participants identify key issues of inequalities and design  strategies to advocate for their eliminationExpected outcomesReligious leaders are equipped to mobilize communities to build social cohesion and reduce vulnerability to violent extremism.Issues of concern regarding social cohesion are identified and strategies to overcome them developedStrategies to act together for stronger, healthier, and more just social ties are definedTargeted participantsThe roundtable will bring together 50 religious actors from the Protestants, Catholics and Muslims. It is expected that twenty will come from Goma area while the remaining thirty will come from the other parts of Eastern DRC where people can easily and safely travel to Goma by route. At least twenty women and ten youth will be among the participants. A particular attention will also be put on participation of people living with disabilities. In order to encourage the churches in the Eastern part of DRC, and as it was planned in the first half of 2023 but did not happen due to security issues, the Vice President of the AACC Central Africa region will also participate in the consultation and will take the opportunity to visit and talk to some member churches in the Goma area.   

The AACC 2019-2023 Strategic Plan has identified Gender, Women and Youth as one of its four programmatic pillars. One of its programmatic interventions in this pillar is to, “increase participation of men in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence”. Consequently, AACC has established six (6) Platforms of Male Champions for Gender Justice in six (6) pilot countries in 2020-2021 namely: Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, DRC, Cameroon and Togo. The role of AACC is to accompany these Platforms by strengthening their capacities to identify and eliminate all forms of GBV in each of the counties. AACC also seeks to create awareness/self-understanding among the male champions about how construction of masculinities affects men positively and negatively, as well as the impact of construction of masculinities on gender justice. During the inception meeting of the Platform of Male Champions for Gender Justice in Cameroon on 18th May 2021, the Champions identified Male Dominance as a major course for gender injustices that needed attention by the Platform. They observed that GBV was on the increase and named some of the lurking gender injustices, which they were committed to address. These include--Rising domestic violence, adolescent/teenage pregnancies, especially with the ongoing Anglophone armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, intensified by coronavirus pandemic, intimate partner violence and a reinforcement of harmful gender practices such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages, rape, and the disruption of the education of the girl child in our society that need attention by the platform.These are the reasons for which AACC has chosen to collaborate with PCC as a way of strengthening the capacity of the male champions to address the raised concerns.Objectives:To strengthen the capacity of male champions, religious and traditional leaders, as well as youth to advocate for gender justice through construction of positive masculinities in CameroonTo equip participants with advocacy skills for gender justice and mentorship VenueThe activity will take place in Buea, Cameroon. Buea is the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon.Dates 17th, 18th and 19th October 2023