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Tenth Annual Student SeminarOctober 20-22, 2005 A Call For RenewalNew York City — Forty college and seminary students attended this year's seminar entitled "A Call for Renewal". It took place in the wake of the United Nations' 60th anniversary and during a year where reforming the institution has been the topic of much debate. The objective of this conference was twofold. First, to highlight some of the many topics that have garnered both much and little attention around the UN (i.e. the millennium development goals, peacekeeping in the DRC, and the conflict, humanitarian crisis and challenges to the rule of law in Northern Uganda). Secondly, to encourage and engage our student participants, as people of faith, to become involved in advocacy. The first day was spent introducing participants to the United Nations. This year's 'Introduction to the United Nations' address was given by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margarethe Løj from the Permanent Mission of Denmark. Ambassador Løj's address focused on the challenges that the UN faces on reforming structures and on agreeing to increase the official development aid (ODA) to the specific percentage of 0.7%. She concluded her address by challenging the participants to be informed, pass the information on to others and get involved. The first part of the second day was spent talking about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with government, UN, NGO and church officials. During the panel with Amil Husain from UN Millennium Campaign and Celestine Mushy from the Mission of Tanzania, issues around aid and trade were extensively highlighted as area where much support is needed but where there exists double standards. They also talked about the positive improvements that some developing countries are making in order to reach the MDGs. The second MDG panel was with Ruth Kahurananga from World Vision and Rev. Dr. Jim Fitzgerald focused on points of intersection between Christians and the UN. The afternoon sessions were on the DRC and Northern Uganda. The former has received a lot of attention around the UN whereas the later has not. During the DRC session, Mr. Zénon Mukongo from the Mission of the DRC and Dr. Stephen Jackson from CPPF spoke about the UN peacekeeping forces in the DRC and the role that it has played in trying to keep the peace. Participants were challenged by, many of whom are of Anabaptist heritage, and grappled with the assertion that military intervention was the only tool that could bring the violence in the DRC to an end. During the Northern Uganda session, Jessica Huber gave a synopsis of the conflict and the opportunities and challenges that exist at the UN to bring awareness about this region and affect change. Participants spent the last day of the conference deliberating on what they had heard during the last two days. During this last day, participants grappled with their limited knowledge of the aforementioned to issues, the theological basis for engaging these issues and how to proceed beyond the seminar. For many, the most affective advocacy tool would be to organize panel discussions on their university/seminary campus to inform the student population. For some engagement might mean writing in local or school papers and speaking in their Sunday schools. Others might engage politically by contacting their local representatives, Congresspersons or Parliamentarians to ask for information and/or spur them into action. A few might decide to get involved by working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like MCC. The passion and dedication that these participants showed during the seminar was a testament to the engagement that MCC seeks to put into practice. The theme for the Mennonite convention in Charlotte this summer was "Can't Keep Silent". As a Mennonite advocacy office, we take this statement to heart as we seek to speak truth to power. Our hope and prayer is that God's people, whom we serve, will join us in our search for peace and justice internationally. As we seek to help a 'fallen' institution renew itself, may we all be open to the Spirit's call for renewal in our own lives. May we be vessels seeking peace and justice that can not keep silent.
MCC holds similar seminars in Washington, D.C. and Ottawa on an annual basis.
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Muhawu Lumeya |
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