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Great Lakes of Africa

Since 2003 Pax Christi has considerably focussed on the Great Lakes francophone countries of Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). International Co-President Mgr Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kinshasa (DRC), has played a pivotal role in promoting Pax Christi efforts in the region. National Sections of Pax Christi have worked closely with the International Secretariat to strengthen local capacities of Member Organisations in this network.

Members of the Great Lakes network have formulated an Action Plan placing particular emphasis on priority concerns such as civic education, disarmament, small arms trafficking, peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts. Since many conflicts in the region have been linked to identity, the network endeavours to ‘bring all elements of society in these countries to live with each other and to view otherness as mutually enriching’ (2005 Mission Statement).

For the past several years Pax Christi members in the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda have commemorated Peace Week in their towns and cities. Peace Week activities highlight themes of non-violence and reconciliation through events like musical concerts, theatre, sports matches, forums, peace marches, radio transmissions and many other actions designed to educate the public and engage young people in building a culture of peace.