News

Nigeria: Violence destroys lives and displaces 10.000 people
(Bonn, 05.02.2010) EED mourns for the victims of the violent clashes in Jos and Bukuru after January 17, 2010. During the crisis, several lives were lost and houses burnt. Up to 10.000 people are displaced. The ethno-religious conflict in Nigeria roots in deep social and regional disparities. Violence came to an end on January 20, 2010. The Jos based Christian NGO CRUDAN advocates for continual peace dialogues among stakeholders.
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Church in Society and Development
(Monrovia, 07.12.2009) The Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) and the Church Development Service (EED) have held a theological dialogue in Monrovia on December 7, 2009. The Genral Secretary of LCC Dr. Benjamin Lartey highlighted the importance of reflecting on theological implications of development. Students of the Bishop Waren Brown College of Divinity of the AME Zion University claimed for justice and a strong involvement of the churches in the Truth and Reconciliation Process in Liberia.
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Religion, Conflict Prevention and Peace Buildung in Westafrica
(Accra, 24.07.2009) Sixty high ranking Muslim and Christian religious leaders have expressed their will to promote reconciliation at a international Conference, held in the capital of Ghana July 20 to 24. They urge the national governments of West Africa and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) for reponsible governance and democracy. At the same time they reject religious expansionist policies and the politization of religion. They see the churches as agents of peace and reconciliation.
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Signs of Hope - Development, Conflict and Religion in Northern Nigeria
(Bonn, 15.06.2009) A study analyses the position of Christian development programmes regarding relations between people of different faiths in Nigeria.
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Fishermen in the Bible
(Berlin, 04.06.2009) A Theological Reflextion by Rudolf Buntzel on the Status of Fishermen in the New Testament with Reference to the Situation of Fishing nowadays in West Africa
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Africa

Partnership for social justice

Africa is currently in a state of radical change and transformation. The founding of the African Union and the launch of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) initiative are two very clear signals that the people of Africa are determined to take their fate into their own hands. Free elections are now being held in countries such as Liberia, Congo and Sierra Leone, allowing the people of theses nations to elect their own governments. And over the past years many of the armed conflicts which have racked the continent have been resolved and have come to an end.

EED supports partners in the countries marked above in blue.

Causes of many of these conflicts are rooted in Africa’s past, when country borders were artificially drawn by colonial powers. Since liberation, many African countries have been controlled by leaders who continue to favour certain grups and tribes while preaching a policy of nationalism and equality. This has led to deep disruption within these societies along political, ethnic, religious and regional lines. In order to help bring about peace and justice in Africa, development cooperation must be focused on mending these divisions. Experience has shown that churches, religious communities and other civil society organizations can help stabilize societies in transition contribute largely to democratization processes, human rights education and the promotion of peace.

Civil society institutions cannot not replace functioning government structures, However, they can be effective motors of innovation and mobilization of self help potential and thereby contributing to establishing public institutions and facilities. Therefore, EED focuses its efforts on establishing and strengthening civil society institutions, especially those involved in the provision of and lobbying for basic social services, and promoting democracy and human rights.

EED supports local partner organizations that are implementing their own projects and programs through financial support as well through staff secondment. Staff seconded through EED is emplyed directly by the partners themselves and integrated into their programs. EED cooperates with churches and their respective departments (social services , development), church-related institutions as well as secular organizations.