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Ecumenical partners in Africa convened by All Africa Conference of Churches, World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative and Advocacy, Christian Aid, and Side by Side gathered in Nairobi on World Prayer day 2020 to celebrate the achievements of women in Africa as well as to recognise men as allies. The gathering also observed the International Women’s Day under the theme #EachforEqual.

On 6 December, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) launched three new theological resources during the 7th AACC Theological Institute.

“Disability does not mean inability! Human rights for all! Equality and access to good health care! Leave no one behind!” Slogans were plentiful at the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs. Some participants felt that the conference venue sadly belied these clarion calls as it was ill-equipped to handle the mobility and access needs of persons with disabilities.

A theological dialogue initiative offering Orthodox perspectives on disability has encouraged churches to address the issue with a renewed commitment.

"Mental illnesses affect people of all ages, in all societies, from the boy soldier in Sierra Leone traumatized by years of bloody civil war, to the mother affected by HIV/AIDS. Therefore it is crucial for the churches to challenge the stigma attached to mental illness,"€ the Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik reminds the churches.

The global fund for tackling HIV and AIDS should be distributed through churches because they have the best access to the populations affected.

Churches need to build youth participation so that young people can

Reacting to the verdict of a Libyan court which has condemned to death six foreign health workers, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has asked H.E. Mu'ammar al-Gaddafi, Leader of the Revolution, to spare their lives on humanitarian grounds.

> WCC Central Committee meeting

At least 19 faith-based organizations are among the 160 initial signers of a new Code of Good Practice for NGOs Responding to HIV/AIDS.

By Hanna Smidt(*)

<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Where is the ecumenical movement going in the 21st century?

"When we recognize that our lives are gracious gifts of God, it becomes our mission in this world to care for life and the dignity of all," said the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia in a public lecture given during his visit to Fiji last week.

Free multimedia coverage of the 15th International Aids Conference in Bangkok available at