- Khadija Kagoya, the caretaker of this water pump in Busowobi Village, Eastern Uganda, explains to EWN conference participants how the pump she works. Photo credit: EWN
Churches for Water in Africa
21-25 May 2007
Entebbe, Uganda
According to some estimates, over 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack adequate access to safe water. What can churches do to help ensure sufficient and safe water - a basic human right - for all the continent's inhabitants?
Taking a human rights approach to water, the conference discussed problems like the privatisation, commodification and pollution of water, and conflicts around water and other natural resources. Participants engaged in theological and biblical reflection on the theme of water, and paid field visits to water projects in an urban slum in Kampala, and in two rural dioceses.
The conference gathered nearly 70 participants including church leaders, theologians, water experts and project coordinators. They came from 19 African countries as well as from Europe and Latin America to discuss the role of churches in the face of the water crisis in Africa. It was organized by the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) in cooperation with the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the Uganda-based Agency for Corporation and Research in Development (ACORD).
--> Conference statement by the participants
-->Programme and presentations
-->Pictures
Programme and presentations
Conference programme (.pdf / 45kb)
Sunday, May 20 | |||
| Arrival of Participants (Airport shuttle will be provided) |
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Monday, May 21 Water in Africa: Facing the challenges
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8.30 9.00 9.00 9.15
| Bible Study Welcome
| Chair of morning session: Canon G. Kaiso Canon Grace Kaiso Welcome and introduction by conference facilitator Canon Grace Kaiso (UJCC) and by Dr. Guillermo Kerber (EWN / WCC) | |
9:15 10:00 | Water in Africa: Facing the challenges: | Mr Dawit Kebede, NCA Ethiopia | |
10:00 10:30 | Coffee Break |
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10:30 11:45 | Water in Africa: Facing the challenges (continued): "Climate change and access to fresh water in Africa in relation to the Millennium Development Goals Water policy and modernization in Africa" |
Prof Jesse Mugambi, WCC Working Group on Climate Change, Kenya Mr Abiy Hailu, ChristianAid, Ethiopia
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11:45 13:00 | Official Opening of the Conference: Keynote address by Director Water Development Guest of Honour opens the conference |
Permanent Secretary (represented by Director of Water Development) Eng Shillingi Hon Minister of Water and Environment Mrs Mutagamba Miria | |
13.00 14.00 | Lunch Break |
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14:00 15:00
| Introduction of participants
| Chair afternoon session: Prof. Mugambi Ms Danuta Sacher | |
15:00 15:30 | Tea break |
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15.30 16.30 16:30 17:30 17:30 18:30 | The role of the churches: "Emerging trends in the water sector and the role of the Ugandan Churches Discussion Groups" Discussion Groups Reports from the Groups |
Canon Eng. Bagamuhunda
Rapporteurs
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Tuesday 22ND Supporting Communities
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8.30 9.00 |
Recapitulation of day 1 | Chair of morning session Mr. Isiah Kipyegon Father Dr. David Kyeyune Independent observer |
9.00 10.00 | Exchange on practical community-based initiatives Parallel Sessions: a) Water as a component in integrated rural development projects - E. Musili "Ukamba Christian Community Services" b) Water, health and sanitation - F. Eskander "Water and Health" - M. Akwi "Best WATSAN Practices" c) Mediating conflicts around water and natural resources - Rev. M. Rirei "Mediating conflict - Experiences from Mt. Elgon District, Kenya" - Bishop E. Buberwa "The Nile River Basin" d) Adapting water management to the consequences of climate change (focusing on rain water harvesting and other technologies) - Rev. B. Byomuhangi "The Diocese of Kigezi Rainwater Harvesting Case" - T. Plassy "The Oruchinga Women Rainwater Harvesting & Sanitation Project" | Input by participants: Eliud Njeru (Director ACK DOSS); Mrs Esther Musili (Executive Director Ukamba Region CCS ACK) Dr Cecil Naugib and Dr Victor Fawzy Faheem Eskander (BLESS Egypt); Ms Milly Akwi (Water and Sanitation Officer LWF Uganda and Sudan) Rev. Rirei (Eldoret Region CCS ACK, Programme Coordinator, Kenya); Bishop Elisa Buberwa (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania) Rev Rauben Byomuhangi,(Kabale Diocese); Mrs Tushabomwe Plassy (BFTW-ACORD)
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10:00-10:30 | Tea Break |
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10:30 13:00 | Exchange on practical community-based initiatives (continued) |
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13:00-14:00 | Lunch Break |
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| Chair of afternoon session: Mr Dunstan Ddamulira Representatives from the three groups |
15:00 18:00 | Field Preparations Water development trends in Uganda - Policy and achievements (Cong) (download of paper) Briefs by field visit host organizations on their initiatives: "The urban sector (Kampala / CIDI)", "Masaka Diocese / MADDO", "Jinja / Busoga Trust" |
Eng Cong (Directorate of Water Development) Dr Jukko (CIDI), Muwonge John, (Masaka Diocese) & Kiiza Sam (Busoga Trust) |
Wednesday, May 23RD Field Visits
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6:00 19: 00 | Field Visits CIDI ( Kampala Urban slum project) Masaka Diocese (Rural Project -west of Kampala) Busoga Trust (Rural Project - east of Kampala) | Selected guides and observers
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Thursday, May 24TH Water Gift of God and Human Right
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8:00 8:30 8.30 10.00 | Bible study Discussion and sharing of field visits
| Chair of morning session:Ms Danuta Sacher Canon Grace Kaiso
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10:00 10:30 | Tea Break |
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10:30 11:30 | The human right to water and advocacy Introduction | Mr Odindo Opiata, Hakijamii Kenya
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11.30 12.30 | Presentation and analysis of case studies Parallel workshops: Privatization of Dar- es-slam water supply Governance and Advocacy The case of Lesotho | Ms. Rose Mushi, ActionAid Tanzania |
12:30 13:00 | Presentation of the African Water Network: "The struggle against water privatization in Africa" (AWN) | Mr Mussa Billeyega (AWN) |
13:00-14:00 | Lunch Break |
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14:00-15:00
| Human rights approach to water by Ugandan churches
| Chair of afternoon session: Mr Arthur Shoo Rev. Dr. Cornelius Ssempala, St Mbaga Seminary and Makerere University, Uganda |
15:00 15:30 | Break |
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15:30 17:15 17:15 18:00
| Theological and biblical reflection (Download of paper) Groups for reflection and discussion: Stewardship for creation God's and the churches care for the poor The symbolism of water for life Living our faith in communities Plenary | Bishop Geoff Davies, Director of Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI)
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Friday, May 25TH The Way Forward: Strategies and Plans
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8:00 8:30 8.30 10.00
| Bible study Recapitulation of the past days Ecumenical Water Network
| Chair of morning session:Dr. G. Kerber Canon Grace Kaiso (UJCC) Dr. Guillermo Kerber (WCC/EWN) Danuta Sacher (BfdW/EWN) Maike Gorsboth (EWN) | |
10:00-10:30 | Tea Break |
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10:30 11:30 | The way forward | Work in groups | |
11:30 13:00 |
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13:00 14:30 | Lunch Break |
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14:30 15:30 | Statement | Plenary | |
15:30 15:45 | Evaluation | Plenary | |
16:00 17:30 | Public Panel Discussion: Representatives of the World Bank, Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network, Directorate of Water Development (DWD), Bread for the World (BftW) | Engeneer Sam Mutoono (World Bank), Mr John Byarugaba (Director of UWASNET), Engeneer Shillingi Mugisha (DWD), Ms Danuta Sacher (Head of Department for Policies and Campaigns, BftW) | |
Beginning 18:00 pm | Closing Ceremony and get-together Address by Arch Bishop of Church of Uganda | Rt. Rev. Luke Orombi
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Saturday, May 26th
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| Departure of participants |
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