resolution

Africa University

2016 Book of Resolutions, #6001

Whereas, the Africa University initiative formally began by the inspiring address delivered by Bishop Emilio de Carvalho of Angola at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church in October, 1984; and

Whereas, Bishop de Carvalho was joined by Bishop Arthur Kulah of Liberia, Bishop F. Herbert Skeete, then president of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Bishop Felton E. May, then president of the General Council on Ministries, and other members in discussing the educational needs of Africa and ways the denomination might respond to this challenge; and

Whereas, the African central conferences of The United Methodist Church asked the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries to assist them in developing significant post-secondary institutions of learning for the churches of Africa; and

Whereas, in St. Louis, Missouri, the 1988 General Conference of The United Methodist Church overwhelmingly approved the establishment of a university on the continent of Africa to be built in Zimbabwe and authorized an apportionment of $10 million over a four-year period and an additional $10 million to be raised through World Service Special Gifts; and

Whereas, the official groundbreaking for the university occurred on site in Old Mutare in 1991, and Africa University opened in 1992 with two faculties (schools) and forty students representing six nations on the African continent; and

Whereas, Africa University’s enrollment reached a significant milestone in 2014 with its student population reaching 1,474 representing 23 African nations; and

Whereas, Africa University is committed to the education of African women with young women comprising 53.5 percent of the student population in 2014; and

Whereas, the number of faculties has grown from the initial two in 1992 to now six, plus the Institute of Peace, Leadership, and Governance; and

Whereas, more than 5,000 Africa University alumni have been deployed across the African continent in fulfillment of the university’s mission to train new leaders for the nations of Africa—new leaders like Walter Manyangawirwa, who was in the first graduating class at Africa University and who is now on the Africa University faculty and is one of Africa’s few doctoral-level entomologists; and

Whereas, the support and enthusiasm of United Methodists worldwide for Africa University are demonstrated in the apportionments remitted annually, the second-mile givings, and contributions from churches and individuals for the Africa University Endowment Fund; and

Whereas, each local church is called upon to pay the full Africa University apportioned line item and give generously to the Africa University Endowment Fund;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the General Conference affirms that Africa University is a dynamic and important mission project of The United Methodist Church; affirms the leadership of all those involved in the continuing development and day-to-day operations of the university; and commends the Africa University Board of Directors and advisory Development Committee for their persistence, diligence, and visionary leadership in overcoming the obstacles and barriers to fulfilling the dream; and,

Be it further resolved, that the 2016 General Conference make Africa University a priority and allocate an apportionment of $10 million over a four-year period and an additional $10 million to be raised through World Service Special Gifts to continue development, construction, and endowment of Africa University as outlined in the planning process determined by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Africa University Board of Directors.

ADOPTED 2004
REVISED AND READOPTED 2008
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2016
RESOLUTION #6001, 2008, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #304, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #284, 2000 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 165A.

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