27 Mar 2006

150 Years of SMA Solidarity with Africa - UCC Conference, 30-31 March

As part of the 150th anniversary of the SMA, the Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods, UCC and the SMA are hosting a conference in UCC on 30-31 March. Titled: 150 Years of SMA Solidarity with Africa: A Conference to Celebrate a Century and a Half of Missionary Endeavour, the aim of the conference is to examine the reasons for the lack of progress of development in Africa since the end of the Second World War. Within this context, there will be a particular focus on the role that Mission has played.

The Conference commences at 2pm on Thursday, 30 March with Session I chaired by Eamon Lenihan.  Following welcome addresses by UCC's President, Professor Gerard Wrixon and Fachtna O'Driscoll SMA Provincial, a keynote address will be given by Professor August B. Temu (ANAFE, Kenya) and Ronan Murphy, Director General, Irish Aid.   Session II, chaired by Jim Corr, 4-6pm, with a theme "Human Rights and Development" includes speakers Justin Kilcullen (Trocaire), Joshua Castellino (Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUIG)  Stephen Onakuse (CSL).

Session III on Friday, 31 March, 9-11am, chaired by Professor Ivan Perry, focuses on "HIV AIDS and Development" with speakers Professor Michael Kelly SJ, H.E. Mannete Ramaili Ambassador  of Lesotho and Sr. Miriam Duggan (FMSA). "Development - The National and International Political Context" is the subject for discussion at Session IV, 11.30am, chaired by Séamus Nohilly SMA with speakers Jim O'Connell , Joan Burton TD, Seán Healy SMA and H.E. Priscilla Jana, Ambassador of South Africa.

Two parallel sessions will run for Session V between 2.30-4pm.  Session V(A) chaired by Fachtna O'Driscoll on the theme "The Missionary Tradition - Its Role and Contribution to Development" has speakers Patricia Wall (Dtalk), Fr James Good and Michael McCabe SMA whilst Session V(B) chaired by Professor Mike FitzGibbon will discuss "Experiential/Applied Development" with speakers Tom Arnold (Concern) and Professor Agnes Mwang'ombe (University of Nairobi).

The Conference concludes with a Panel Session at 4.30pm chaired by Professor Denis Lucey followed by concluding remarks by Fachtna O'Driscoll SMA.

The fee for the conference is €50 which includes lunch and refreshments.

The conference takes place at UCC, 30-31 March in Room G10, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex. To register for the conference and for further details please contact: Nora Hennessy ext 2114, csl@ucc.ie

204MMcS