Who is MWC?

Councils

Networks & Projects

News & Testimony

Publications

World Assembly: Africa 2003

World Directory

Site Map

MWC Executives Advise Zimbabwe Assembly Plans Proceed

STRASBOURG, France — Mennonite World Conference is proceeding with plans to hold its world assembly in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in August 2003. Larry Miller, executive secretary, and Ray Brubacher, associate secretary for events and administration, were in southern Africa from February 5 to 20, together with MTS Travel staff, to assess recent developments in Zimbabwe and to consider contingency plans for the global gathering.

“The Africa 2003 theme calls us to ‘share gifts in suffering and in joy.’ Reasons to think that Bulawayo is the most appropriate place to do precisely that are increasing, not diminishing,” they reported on their return.

The political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe is deepening and the next several months may be critical. The harvest, which begins in March, is unlikely to be good and international food aid beyond March is not yet in place. There are numerous reports that the governing party, realizing that its survival is at stake, is trying to negotiate political and economic change. Most people are predicting that a transition will be peaceful, but human rights violations continue.

Daily life in Bulawayo, however, appears to have changed little since the MWC Executive Committee met there six months ago. For the average resident, getting commodities like staple foods, fuel and medicine is more difficult now but the MWC Bulawayo staff and BIC Church in Zimbabwe are putting together appropriate solutions to the problems in these areas for the world gathering. These solutions, they say, will not take away resources from Zimbabweans but will provide resources for Zimbabwean conference participants who could not otherwise access them.

While economic hardship has resulted in an increase in petty crime, people are generally safer walking the streets of Bulawayo than in many large or mid-size cities in North America, Europe or elsewhere, observed the MWC executives who live in France and Canada and have experience in many locations worldwide.

The invitation from the Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe “remains firm, broad and deep ... As the crisis deepens, their faith and trust in God seems also to deepen,” said the report filed by Miller and Brubacher. These Christian brothers and sisters, they believe, will be a source of strength, blessing and transformation for many international visitors, particularly those accustomed to an easier life.

Support from leaders of other Christian denominations in Zimbabwe is growing stronger. They speak of the potential of a world gathering in Bulawayo for strengthening the church in Zimbabwe and witnessing to the community. At the same time, they encourage developing contingency plans.

Mennonite World Conference is doing just that. They have reserved several facilities in the Johannesburg, South Africa area as a possible back-up site for the world assembly and related meetings should it become necessary to change these meetings. The South African location would permit the nearby Zimbabwe church to continue to serve as host and the facilities can be retained for some time without significant financial investment. Adequate and reasonably priced hotels in the same area have been identified by MTS Travel.

MWC officers, who meet in California (USA) at the end of March will reassess the situation then. In the meantime, MWC and MTS staff will continue to monitor the situation daily. They encourage internationals to make travel plans that take them to Bulawayo via Johannesburg in case the contingency plans need to be implemented.

MWC will issue updates on Africa 2003 plans at least monthly and more often if useful. Persons with questions about Africa 2003 plans or about their own plans to participate are encouraged to contact an MWC office or MTS Travel at any time.