Religion Press Release Services

For immediate release
March 23, 2006

Contact: Elizabeth Mullen
202-537-6248, office
emullen@cathedral.org

Religious, diplomatic, governmental and private sector leaders gathered at Washington National Cathedral on March 16 to launch a unified effort against malaria in Mozambique.

In a meeting convened by the Cathedral College’s Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, participants agreed to pledge necessary resources to fortify existing anti-malaria campaigns in the country. Malaria is the leading cause of death in Mozambique.

Working with religious leaders in Mozambique to identify areas of need, the group is scheduled to present an action plan when it meets again on April 19 in Maputo, a week before Africa Malaria Day. Jean Duff, managing director for the Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, is leading the group.

His Excellency Armando Panguene, ambassador of Mozambique to the United States, attended the meeting. The Right Rev. Dinis Sengulane, Anglican bishop of Lebombo; the Right Rev. Joao Machado, bishop of the United Methodist Church of Mozambique; and Mr. Hassan Makda, chairman of the Islamic Council of Mozambique joined the session by conference call.

Members of the working group include: Janette O’Neill, director, Africa Programs, and Susan Lassen, director of North East Operations, Episcopal Relief and Development; Cherian Thomas, executive secretary, Health and Relief, General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church; Allan Handysides, director of health ministries, and Ray Dabrowski, director of communications, Seventh Day Adventist Church; Rabia Mathai, senior vice president, Global Program Policy and Planning, Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB); John Peterson, director, and Jean Duff, managing director, Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, Cathedral College, Washington National Cathedral; Wendell Belew, representing Islamic relief organizations, Friends of Charities Association; Sonny Fox, president, Sonny Fox Communications; Catherine Hand of Hand & Associates; Bill Ryerson, president, Population Media Center; and a representative from Lutheran World Relief.

Advisory board members include: Chris Thomas, public affairs advisor, and Elizabeth Fox, deputy director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Varian Brandon, Division of Health Information Dissemination, and Scott Santibanez, sector lead, Faith-based and Community Organization, Division of Partnership Strategic Alliance Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Michael Madnick and Cameron Dubes, consultants, UN Foundation; Julia Royall; and a representative from the World Bank.

For more information and a picture of the working group, please visit http://www.cathedralcollege.org/pages/cgjr/programAreas.shtml

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