Jan. 7, 2004
A UMNS Feature
By Linda Green

Zimbabwe's economic problems have not eroded the confidence that United Methodist and U.S. officials have in Africa University's ability to move the continent toward peace.

The university recently broke ground for a $1.8 million building to house its Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance. The institute, at the school's campus in Mutare, Zimbabwe, will focus on helping African nations build a sustainable culture of peace, improved management systems, security and socio-economic development.

Construction funds for the three-story building were donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a longtime supporter of the university. Since the university was formally established in 1992, the agency's Schools and Hospitals Abroad Program has contributed $8.3 million for development and expansion at the university. This has included building and equipping the library, the faculty of agriculture and natural resources, and the faculty of health sciences.

The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance building will have academic and administration sections, an auditorium, 10 seminar/lecture rooms, a library, offices and a cafeteria. The United Methodist Church's Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference provided seed money of $15,000 to assist the university in its peace effort.

Joseph Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, was among those attending the November groundbreaking. "Africa University and the institute (are) well placed to promote critical values for the future development of Africa and the prosperity of its people," he said. "These include human rights, democracy and the efficient management of public and private institutions."

He said the U.S. government's financial and moral support for the institute "will go a long way towards achieving the vision to contribute to the building of a peaceful and prosperous Africa by providing a forum for debate, training and research, which actively promotes peace, good governance and responsive leadership to meet the challenges being faced on the African continent."

Peace in Africa is important, he said, as he reflected on his time in Angola during the last three years of that country's civil war. The war has ended and the country is working toward peace.

"Peace is critical for development," Sullivan said. "In order to make it possible, there needs to be leadership - leadership not just of politicians, but leadership of society as a whole to come forward."

Sullivan said the institute's title says what Africa needs - peace, leadership, governance. "If those three things can come together and these new students being educated at this institute can help provide that leadership for Zimbabwe and other countries ... Africa can realize the tremendous promise it has for the whole world."

The university's effective use of resources for 11 years and its clear vision for the African continent have continued to attract USAID support, he said. "We have confidence that it (the university) will continue to do this, notwithstanding the difficulties that Zimbabwe itself faces."

The United States has also provided resources to establish an American Corner in the university's library to increase knowledge and mutual understanding between America and Zimbabwe.

The institute received its first students in January 2003, when 14 people from seven African countries enrolled in its postgraduate programs. The second class is expected to begin lectures this January. The programs are aimed at responding to the major challenges facing Africa in the political, social and economic effects of globalization. In addition to offering conventional academic courses, the institute will run workshops, conferences and retreats for leaders, professionals and practitioners in public and private sectors and civil society institutions.

According to James Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement, the USAID money "says that the U.S. government has all the confidence needed in order to make an investment of another $1.8 million into Africa University."

"What it says to us is the people of the United States have not given up on Africa University or the country of Zimbabwe," he said. "What better way to support progress on the continent than invest in projects like the institute, which promotes and teaches good governance, leadership and peace - all the things needed to bring harmony to the continent of Africa University? It is worthwhile and speaks to the future."

Acknowledging that Zimbabwe's 2002 presidential elections eroded good will between the U.S. and Zimbabwean governments, Sullivan said it is the people of the country who need help. He said the country is undergoing multiple crises around economics, politics, an HIV/AIDS pandemic and a food shortage.

Despite the political problems, the United States is providing approximately $130 million annually in food assistance, which is 40 percent of the total of international assistance provided, according to Sullivan. The U.S. government is also providing $15 million for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and awareness programs, he said. "We hope to see progress in reducing what is a horrendous rate of infection."

In addition to the groundbreaking, the university celebrated the election of Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as new chancellor and chairman of the Africa University Board of Directors. Ntambo succeeds Bishop Emilio J. deCarvalho, who retired after serving the university for 11 years. He will be formally installed early in 2004.

United Methodist News Service
Linda Green is a news writer with United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn. Contributing to this story were David Manyonga, acting director of information for Africa University, and Hilly Hicks, staff member at United Methodist Communications.