Who's Who at the 1998 General Assembly
(in approximate order of appearance)
Dr. David Cortright, addressing the Executive Board on the "Humanitarian Impact of Economic Sanctions" -- is President of the Fourth Freedom Forum, Goshen, Ind., and Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. He is editor of "The Price of Peace: Incentives and International Conflict Prevention," and co-editor of "Economic Sanctions: Panacea or Peacebuilding in a Post-Cold War World?" and of "Political Gain and Civilian Pain: Humanitarian Impacts of Economic Sanctions." (The fourth freedom, after freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom from want, is freedom from fear.)
Dr. David Hornbeck, addressing the General Assembly on "Public Education: An Ecumenical Calling" (10:45 a.m. Nov. 11) -- is Superintendent of Schools of the School District of Philadelphia, the fifth largest school district in the United States. As head of the 215,000-student and 28,000-employee Philadelphia system, Mr. Hornbeck has designed and is implementing a comprehensive reform plan to reverse the decades-long decline in student achievement. To date, the many accomplishments of the District's "Children Achieving" reform plan include full-day kindergarten for every public school kindergarten-age child in Philadelphia; new and demanding learning standards; reduced central administration costs, and expanded professional training for teachers. Before coming to Philadelphia in 1994, Mr. Hornbeck wored on education reform in more than 20 states with the Business Roundtable, the National Alliance for Restructuring Education, the Center for the Study of Social Policy and the New American Schools Development Corporation. His work contributed significantly to making systems change a centerpiece of the national school reform agenda.
Dr. David D. Daniels III, addressing the General Assembly on "Pentecostalism Today" (2:45 p.m. Nov. 11) -- is a minister in the Church of God in Christ and Associate Professor of Church History at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. He has lectured and published widely in North America, Europe and Africa, and is on the team of several research projects, including "Religion in Urban America" and the "Funding of Black Churches." He is a member of the American Academy of Religion (and of the steering committees of its Evangelical Theology Group and Afro-American History Group); the Society for the Study of Black Religion; the Society for Pentecostal Studies; the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Pentecostal International Dialogue. He has served on the NCC Faith and Order Commission and participated in NCC- and World Council of Churches-sponsored consultations.
Worship Leaders, Celebration of the World Council of Churches' Jubilee (7:30 p.m. Nov. 11)
The Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, addressing the General Assembly at Noon, Nov. 12 -- is National Ecumenical Officer of the United States for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
1998 Ecumenical/Interfaith Service Award Recipients
Dr. Gert van Maanen, bringing greetings to the General Assembly at 5 p.m. Nov. 12 -- is General Manager of the Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society. Church leaders created the EDCS in 1975 as a direct response to calls from Third World community leaders for churches to use part of their wealth to meet the need for credit among low-income people around the world. Total commitment by U.S. religious bodies and concerned individuals has grown to approximately $13 million, representing 13 percent of the present capital of $100 million. EDCS, under the guidance of an international board of church leaders, development experts and civic leaders in developing countries, has built a successful model of international social investment that conserves the capital of its investors while providing credit to tens of thousands of "unbankable" people in 64 countries. The EDCS approach to development and its success in the field has attracted the attention of the World Bank and other international development agencies. The century ahead will see skyrocketing demand for credit sources that are responsive to the needs of microcredit programs and production cooperatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The financial resources of the churches, managed responsibly by the experienced staff of EDCS, provide an economic alternative to multinational corporate sweat shops for millions of people.
Ecumenical Partners from Kenya, South Africa and Togo, to address a Nov. 12 luncheon and greet the General Assembly at 5:20 p.m. Nov. 12, are:
Mr. David Nganga Kamau, Refugee Desk Coordinator, National Council of Churches of Kenya. Mr. Kamau is in charge of the Urban Refugee Program funded by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. He also managed the Limuru Conference and Training Center, where he is involved in the initiation of vocatinal training programs on self-reliance for Kenyan citizens and refugees. His experience also includes serving as Headmaster of the Nakuru Municipality Schools and as the Agricultural Director of the Nakuru Community Center. Mr. Kamau has obtained various certificates and honors from the Kenyan Institute of Administration, the International Center for Training in Population and Family Health,and the University of Chicago's Advanced Training in Communication for Population and Social Development. He holds a Master of Economic and Social Studies Degree from the University of Wales.
Mr. Nelson Kwasivi Wola Kumodzi, Refugee Secretary, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo. Mr. Kumodzi has worked both on issues of refugees in Togo and on the integration of Togolese returning from neighboring counries. He spent this past summer in the United States as a Camp Counselor at Elk's Camp Moore in New Jersey. Mr. Kumodzi received his Masters in English Linguistics at the University of Benin Lome in Togo in 1986 and his license in business law in 1988.
The Rev. White Makabe Rakuba, Refugee and Emergency Program Officer, South African Council of Churches. His office has led him to work closely with many local, regional and global organizations including the All Africa Conference of Churches and the World Council of Churches. He was elected the first moderator of the Southern African Churches in Ministry with Uprooted People. Rev. Rakuba has served many parishes and was, most notably, appointed the Circuit Youth Pastor where he served as leader and chaplain of the Youth League to 13 different parishes in the Bohlabela Circuit. He received his diploma in theology from the Marang Lutheran Theological Seminary in Rustenburg. His studies also have taken him to England where he received a degree in Developmental Studies from Selly Oaks College in Birmingham. He currently is studying Finance and Product Management at Newport University's correspondence school.
Curtis Zunigha, Guest Speaker at the Interfaith Breakfast (7 a.m. Nov. 13) -- is a consultant on communications, public relations, and government policy. He is a lecturer and political activist whose career pursuits have centered on the world of the American Indian. Mr. Zunigha was elected in November 1994 to a four-year term as Chief of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, a federally recognized tribe headquartered in Bartlesville, Okla. Among the many capacities in which he serves throughout Indian Country, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Delaware Tribe, Inc., the non-profit branch of tribal government. He has previously served as tribal councilman, business manager, cultural educator and ambassador to Sweden. Mr. Zunigha has taught and lectured widely and has produced and directed television and radio programing, videos and documentaries.