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Provincial Communicators Workshop
  

Briefs

Provincial
Communications Workshop


Since 1991, Anglican Communicators have not come together to evaluate the emerging changes in the field of communication especially in information technology. The Unit organized a four-day workshop in Nairobi in October 2002 for all Communication Directors from the entire Continent.

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Report on the Provincial Communicators Workshop held in Nairobi, October 28 - 31, 2002

Theme: Helping The Church Accomplish Its Mission Through Effective Communication

Background
How the Anglican Church in Africa can utilize new Information Technologies
The overall Aim of The Workshop
The Objectives
Provincial representatives
Others
Workshop Content & Facilitators
Reports from the Provinces
Key observations by participants
Assessment of fulfillment of workshop objectives
Workshop recommendations, Way Forward
Participants evaluation and recommendations
Next communicators workshop 2003/2004
Contacts of Provincial Communicators and Participants

REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCES (Top)

The Episcopal Church of Burundi
The Provincial office does have access to a computer, a printer and a scanner. There is also a telephone line, which enables Internet access. CAPA Communications Office will support the Province with IT training especially in network connection and desktop publishing.

Church of the Province of Congo
It was reported that the war situation in DR Congo has largely affected communications. It is therefore not possible to install any electronic communication equipment such as e-mail at the moment. The most pressing need is installation of two-way radio systems within the dioceses.

Church of the Province of Central Africa
The Provincial office is well equipped with computers, printers and other accessories. The Province is also accessible on e-mail. In the meantime, the Provincial Secretary is doubling up as the communications officer before the communications desk is put in place.


The Episcopal Diocese of Egypt
(Covers North Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea & Djibouti)
The Diocesan Office in Cairo is itself well equipped with computers, Internet and e-mail facilities. However, the challenge is the expansive coverage of the Diocese in areas where there is no Information Technology especially in the Horn of Africa. Nonetheless, efforts are being made by the Diocese to provide personal computers to parishes outside Egypt.


The Church of the Province of West Africa
The Provincial Office is now equipped with computers and other accessories. Electronic mail is gradually replacing postal mail within the Province and outside. CAPA will offer technical IT support.

The Episcopal Church of the Sudan
Like in Congo, war has affected communication in the Province. Contact is maintained mainly through local two-way radio cables. However, the Provincial Communications Office requires a computer. CAPA communications office will offer support in IT training.

The Episcopal Church of Rwanda
The Province is yet to be equipped and networked with IT facilities. CAPA will assist in resource mobilization and training for this venture.

Church in the Province of Southern Africa
The Province of Southern Africa is advanced in IT use. There is already a Provincial website and a growing number of diocesan sites. The challenge is now to equip parishes and with IT facilities and to train users.

The Church of the Province of Uganda
Though the Provincial Office is equipped with IT facilities, the rest of the Dioceses and Departments are yet to be connected and networked. This would be critical given the vastness of the Province and the rapid expansion of the Church of Uganda.

The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean
Inadequate IT equipment was noted during the workshop. Resource mobilization for IT equipment is a key area for CAPA Communications Unit to support.

Church of Nigeria - Anglican Communion
The Province is quite advanced in its communications having installed Local Area Networks, which have enhanced telecommunication with the Dioceses and Provinces; The Communications Office is well equipped with digital and broadcast cameras, computers and printers. The Province has a website which was recently launched. Church of Nigeria communications office will liaise with CAPA to offer input and support to other Provinces.

Anglican Church of Kenya
All the Dioceses and Anglican institutions in Kenya are now linked on e-mail to the Provincial Office. CAPA will liaise closely with the Province to build capacity by training Diocesan Communicators. The Province already has a website which carries useful information on the Province.

KEY OBSERVATIONS BY PARTICIPANTS(Top)


The church certainly is a key beneficiary of Information Technology in general and Internet/e-mail in specific in the following ways:

  • Communicators in the Provinces can share through the Internet prayer and other physical needs and receive support throughout the Anglican Communion promptly.
  • Success reports can be shared throughout the Communion through e-mail and the Internet.
  • Information Technology provides a wealth of information and research for priests and lay people and can be used as an opportunity to draw on useful economic, educational and even cultural information - which was previously available only in universities and very few other places.
  • Posting websites on the Internet can boost the image of Provinces and offer useful information to web visitors.
  • Access to economic, social and political information can bring churches together and promote mutually beneficial exchanges concerning health, education and research. The Internet in Africa is providing all of these services, though still on a very limited scale. Put to good use, the Internet could help Africans improve their health services by providing free medical advice to community health workers and to remote village hospitals.
  • The Church has a pivotal role of speaking against the excesses of governments, as it is the voice of the “voiceless.” These excesses including abuse of human rights and oppression can be spoken about freely through e-mail and the Internet.

 

 
 
 
       
Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA)
P. O. Box 10329 00100 NAIROBI
Tel: +254 2 573283 * Fax: +254 2 570876
E-mail: info@capa-hq.org