Reframing African Ecumenical Discourse on Development

Case of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) 2000–2018 (Part 2)

Abstract

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This research explores the contribution of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) to ecumenical discourse regarding development against the background of contemporary debates on the role of religion in development. It focuses on the period 2000–2008. Through a critical review of the AACC’s engagement in development, the article offers an appraisal of the AACC’s socio-economic justice approach to development. It also highlights the AACC’s most recent appropriation of diakonia in its programmatic thrust on development. While such appropriation holds promise for an approach to development rooted in theological ideas, it begs further reflection on the place of local epistemologies of development in African ecumenical discourse. Arguing for the translation of diakonia, this research proposes the decolonial reframing of African churches’ engagement in development.