African religious leaders to meet in Kampala
Jun 15, 2014
Several African religious leaders from different countries are to meet in the Ugandan Capital Kampala to discuss the post 2015 Development Agenda.
By Jeff Andrew Lule
Several African religious leaders from different countries are to meet in the Ugandan Capital Kampala to discuss the post 2015 Development Agenda.
The Post-2015 Development Agenda refers to a process led by the United Nations (UN) that aims to help define the future global development framework that will succeed the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight global development targets which come to an end in 2015.
The summit which is expected to attract over 500 delegates, is slated to take place from July 1-2, at Imperial Resort Hotel, Entebbe. The event will also be attended by several heads-of-state, policy-makers and experts.
The first Inter-Faith leaders conference of its kind is to be under the theme; “Enhancing Faith Communities’ Engagement on the Post 2015 Development Agenda in the Context of the Rising Africa”.
It is organized by Inter-Religious Council Uganda (IRCU). During an interview at his office in Kampala, the state minister for foreign affairs Asuman Kiyingi, said they have not yet confirmed the number of heads of state who will attend.
He disclosed that President Museveni has already invited his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to open the summit. He said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, has also been invited as a guest speaker at the event.
“We expect more but have not yet confirmed. Religious institutions have a long history of action on development and often deliver a range of services to individuals and communities blighted by poverty, conflict, humanitarian and natural disasters.” he added.
IRCU secretary general Joshua Kitakule said the summit is to generate coordinated actions that will enable African faith communities to bring their voice to the formulation and implementation of public policies and programmes in connection to the new charter on development.
He said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has already pledged to support the two day summit.
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