WACC Congress 2008

Congress ends with a call to give peace a chance

By Frank Jomo, Malawi

A week-long World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) Congress ended 10 October with a call by General Secretary Randy Naylor to give peace a chance.

“War has had enough time. We have given war enough space in our publications, but as Christian communicators, the time has come that we give peace a chance. We should start writing about peace–peace that builds viable communities, inclusive communities,” said Naylor.

The Congress--whose theme was “Communication is peace: Building viable communities”--began on 4 October and is the fourth since WACC came into being in 1975. This is the first time that it has taken place in Africa.

Communicating people’s stories builds peace (Congress Declaration)

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	The World Association for Christian Communication’s Congress ‘Communication is Peace: Building Viable Communities’ attracted some 300 communication and media professionals from 73 countries.
Congress participants (Photo by George Conklin, USA)

Resolution on media treatment of immigrants (Congress 2008)

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We, the participants in WACC's Congress 2008, express our serious concern regardingthe international xenophobic trend fueled by the media, particularly in its treatment of immigration.

A pernicious type of nationalism is being promoted, associated with security and national identity, that stigmatizes immigrants and fans the flames of hatred. This type of discourse is translated into restrictive political policies and , in some cases, into open official persecution as well as into acts of collective violence against immigrants.

New WACC President: Dennis Smith

	Dennis Smith has lived and worked in Guatemala since 1977. He coordinates the Publications and Communications Training Program for the Central American Evangelical Center for Pastoral Studies (Cedepca), an ecumenical training center for women and men doing pastoral work in Central America.
Dennis Smith, new President, WACC (Photo by Erick Coll, Cuba)

Communicating peace is the solution to world wars

By Redemtor Atieno, Uganda

	The WACC Congress 2008 ended 10 October with the installation of a new President of the WACC Board, vice-president, treasurer and a board secretary.
Outgoing WACC President , Musimbi Kanyoro, installing new president, Dennis Smith (photo by Erick Coll, Cuba).

Cees Hamelink honoured

By Rebekah Chevalier, Canada

WACC honorary life member Cees Hamelink first became interested in communication when he was eight years old.

Hamelink, who was awarded the membership 10 October at Congress, is an internationally recognized expert on mass communications and communication rights.

WACC honorary life member Cees Hamelink being congratulated by WACC former President, Musimbi Kanyoro.

Singing and dancing for peace

By Munyaradzi Makoni, South Africa

While WACC Congress participants prayed, talked and discussed how they could achieve peace in the world, they had a chance to watch, listen and even dance to the varied traditional tunes of a Cape Town based traditional group, Ensemble Uthingo.

"We thought we could make our contribution towards the discussion on peace by playing at a world gathering like this," said Thokozani Tyeni, one of the co-group leaders. He shares the ensemble leadership with Sindi Mtimkulu.

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The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.