ARLC participants standing at the “flame of life” at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Photo: LWF/Erick Kinyanguli
Youth, gender, and climate justice at heart of discussions
(LWI) – A central focus of the Africa Regional Leadership Conference (ARLC) was the role of youth, gender justice, and climate justice in building thriving churches across Africa and the global Lutheran communion.
Collaborating for gender justice
Reporting on developments in the Women’s Network in Africa, Colleen Cunnigham from the Moravian Church in South Africa said that gender justice is a matter of “collaboration between men and women, young and old, working together in harmony, affording all equal opportunities, and protection of human rights in behavior and treatment.” She urged stronger collaboration between the Women’s Network and other African networks to improve coordination on cross-cutting issues.
Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF’s Program Executive for Capacity Building and Leadership Development, reiterated that gender justice is “a matter of faith” and rooted in responsible theology. She encouraged participants to continue adapting the LWF Gender Justice Policy to their respective contexts, working towards inclusive churches and preventing gender-based violence. Involving male leaders in these efforts is crucial, Kiilunen said.
Youth engagement and global connection
Anania Ndondole from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania gave an overview of the activities of the Youth Network. Regular online meetings connected LWF youth globally, he said.
The monthly LWF Youth theological series “Global Faith Unfiltered” features reflections from young theologians on the most pressing issues and topics across their communities, from a perspective of the priorities highlighted at the 2023 LWF Assembly.
Concerns among African youth were leadership training, economic empowerment, project management skills, gender justice, and climate justice, added PJ Hanekom from the Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa. He said it would be important to address these issues through projects planned in the coming period.
Regional coordinators for the Women's Network in Africa: (from left) Rev Tagessech Dagnew (LUCCEA), Mame Coumba Faye (LUCCWA), and Colleen Cunningham (LUCSA). Photo: LWF/Erick Kinyanguli
LWF Vice-President for Afica, Rev. Dr Yonas Yigezu Dibisa, planting a tree at the headquarters of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda. Photo: LWF/Erick Kinyanguli
Youth in discussions during the ARLC. Photo: LWF/Erick Kinyanguli
African LWF youth led a global prayer for peace, with young people from the Democratic Republic of Congo sharing powerful grassroots experiences and insights.
Urgent action for climate justice
Members of the Africa Climate Justice Forum introduced participants to the network that began its work in 2024.
“The region faces increased droughts, floods, and food insecurity, threatening its ecosystems and people’s livelihoods, stability, and future,” said Rev. Shede Habila from The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria.
The forum is the space to convene LWF constituencies for joint discussions, strategizing, and engagement on policy, advocacy, and programmatic work. They work together to support advocacy at national, regional, and global levels to seek constructive ways to attain climate justice and creation care.
Following the presentations, church leaders planted several trees, underscoring the churches’ commitment to environmental stewardship. The trees were planted at the headquarters of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda, which hosted the ARLC.
Honoring memory and praying for peace
On the final day of the ARLC, participants visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which commemorates the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The site is the final resting place of more than 250,000 people and serves as a place of remembrance and education.
Church leaders signed the guest book at the memorial, leaving a message of hope, remembrance, and peace. Symbolically, a wreath and flowers were laid down. Bishop Fredrick Shoo, president of the Lutheran Communion in Central and East Africa (LUCCEA), spoke a prayer for healing and peace in Rwanda and countries across the African continent.
The conference concluded with a prayer based on Psalm 133:1: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” – a fitting end to a gathering rooted in hope, justice, and shared purpose.
