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For several years now, Africa has been hit by a major crisis. This crisis is not only economic, but includes among several others: embezzlement, corruption, electoral fraud, brain drain, domestic violence, civil wars, coup d'etats, tribalism, insecurity, etc.
Faced with this situation, CIPCRE is convinced that in Africa, perhaps more than anywhere else, religious convictions constitute, at the same time a basis and a powerful lever for the involvement of populations in social transformation. Unfortunately, it is worth of note that the religious and traditionalists are slow in taking their social responsibility seriously, or simply lack concrete strategies to come out of such rhetoric as "Heaven as if Earth did not exist" (according to a well-known saying by His Lordship Albert Ndongmo). Since 1996, CIPCRE set up various strategies to promote the involvement of the main denominations in promoting justice, peace and the safeguard of creation.
 International conferences and seminars
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With the aim of sharing CIPCRE’s original objectives of a global ecological approach in the process of Africa’s reconstruction with church leaders at all levels, an international colloquium on the theme “Ecological Ethics and the Reconstruction of Africa”, was organized for the first time in June 1996 in Batie, Cameroon.
From this conference, it emerged clearly that the reconstruction of Africa can only be done through collaboration and the mobilization of the continent’s entire potential. Thus, in the following year, two other international seminars had already been organized. The first was related to "Ecology and Evangelization" from 19 to 25 May, 1997 in Oporto Novo (Benin) and the second, organized in collaboration with The Ecumenical Council of Churches (COE) and the Africa Future Foundation of Rev. Dr. Kä Mana, on "Churches, Impunity and Victim Rights in Central and West Africa: Live and Announce the Gospel of Justice and Reconciliation” from 6 to 14 April, 1997 in Batié. During this occasion, the 60 participants that came from 13 different countries, decided "to constitute a Solidarity Action Chain for a greater effectiveness in the sharing of experiences, information and to provide mutual support in times of crisis, in the global battle against impunity".
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Easter Week Campaigns
In addition to the conferences and seminars mentioned above, the Easter Weeks Campaign (CSP) was born in April 1998 at the instance of CIPCRE. Since then, it mobilizes Catholics, Protestant and Moslem, or any person of goodwill, each year against a social plague and for justice and peace, under the lighting of the faith. A national event since 2000, the CSP is organized by, in addition to the CIPCRE, the Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions of Cameroon (FEMEC), the National Justice and Peace Service of the Catholic Church and the Islamic Higher Council of Cameroon (CSIC).
Through training programs, conferences, cultural evenings, sporting and leisure events, ecumenical services and the website, organizers wish to raise awareness among believers that while waiting for “Heaven” they are initially vectors of the emergence of a terrestrial community where Man is an opportunity for Man. It is not only a question of awareness, but also of equipping them for a greater effective engagement in a more just and more peaceful society. |
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JPSC Protestant Commissions
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For some years now, under the impulse of the CIPCRE, reflection and action committees dubbed JPS Commissions have been set up in Protestant parishes in the West province of Cameroon. Today there are already more than 30 basic groups, which in the image of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commissions, are taking up the questions of injustice, conflicts and environmental pollution. Through their daily involvement in the promotion of mankind, through local and concrete action,, they experience the Gospel as a forces of social change.
CIPCRE supports this experience by accompanying the provincial JPSC coordinator, in particular, in animating reflection and training meetings, and in harnessing and spreading experiences on the field. A book was published in 2002 titled: "The Gospel in Action: Justice, Peace and Safeguard of Creation in West Cameroon ".
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Ecumenical Youth for Christ
If religious convictions have strong potential for social transformation for Justice and Peace, it is important to also note that they also, historically, have a strong tendency to accentuate cleavages and demarcation lines, an that is not only since September 11, 2001. Convinced that peace is and can only be obtained through negotiation, dialogue and mutual openness, CIPCRE resolutely engages in supporting initiatives, which through reflection and action, encourage openness, collaboration and understanding of the other.
The Ecumenical Youth for Christ is a movement of young Catholic and Protestant Christians from Western Cameroon, created in 1999 with the aim of breaking denominational barriers for a more just and peaceful society. Three groups already exist and meet regularly in the towns of Bafoussam, Dschang and Mbouda. CIPCRE accompanies this experience through animating reflection and training meetings,
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