Programmes

Purpose and Programme areas

On the 23^rd June 2008 the WCRLF a significant Statement of Intent which articulated clearly the values, principles and role of the organisation.

The WCRLF held a Strategic Planning Session on 26^th February 2008 that was facilitated by Daniel Solomons from Mediation and Transformation Practice – the gathering formulated a vision statement which looked to a South Africa culture of creative co-operation and accountability between the religious and all other sectors within a peaceful and moral society. The style of operation was to include workshops, dialogue between faiths, position papers, partnerships, mobilization, training and lobbying.

At this meeting it was decided that programmatic priorities for 2008/2009 would fall under three headings

Climate Change and Environmental Justice (now labeled Environmental Justice)
Family, Health and Community (now labeled Family & Community Restoration)
Values, Rights and responsibilities (now labeled Democratic Rights, Values & Freedom

A commitment was made to go ahead with advertising and interviewing for the position of a coordinator. A number of candidates were interviewed but the appointment could not be made due to the delay in the provincial funding payment.

Addressing the challenge of drugs and substance abuse

On the 10^th April 2008 the WCRLF published a statement of concern regarding the utterances of the then Deputy Minister for Safety and Security emphasizing adherence to the Criminal Procedures Act and the Constitutional emphasis contained therein.

On the 14^th April the WCRLF was invited to participate in a Provincial Safety Imbizo on Building Safer Schools addressing again the issue of drugs and crime amongst our learners.

On the 15^th and 16^th April 2008 a significant meeting entitled Religious Stakeholders Uniting against Substance Abuse took place between the WCRLF and the Department of Social Development in order to address the issues of Substance Abuse. The WCRLF issued a media statement on 17^th April 2008 calling for greater collaboration cooperative strategies when dealing with drugs and substance abuse.

Campaigning for Children’s Rights

The WCRLF has played a role in the formation of the Western Cape Child’s Rights Advisory Council and is represented at its Council meetings. It is also a member organisation of the Western Cape Anti Corruption Commission.

Pledging support against xenophobic violence

The outbreak of xenophobic violence in May 2008 required a collaborative response at provincial level. The WCRLF was invited by the Chief Police Commissioner to represent the religious sector on the Provincial Safety Forum. Regular reports were made to the Safety Forum regarding the huge contribution the faith community made in the relief and servicing of the 20,000 displaced people in the Western Cape. The broader constituency gathered at the Albow Centre on the 19^th June pledging again to be a supportive, mediating presence with all stakeholders. Both the Convenor and the Chairman of WCRLF were called on to assist in the apparent breakdown of communication between City and Province.

Engaging with the electoral commission to promote peace during elections

On the 21^st June the WCRLF met with Courtney Sampson from the IEC to discuss the role of the religious sector in the National Elections of 2009. Out of the concerns expressed in that meeting and subsequent meetings the WCRLF played a role in reconstituting the Electoral Code of Conduct Observers commission with 5 of its members acting as commissioners and was represented through its convenor on the National Steering Committee of the Election Monitoring Network which trained and deployed hundreds of Election Monitors throughout the country. This work contributed significantly to the peaceful outcome of the April elections.

Jewish and Muslim leaders demonstrate leadership and unity over Gaza crisis

One sign of healthy interfaith relationships was the immediate response of religious leaders to the Gaza Crisis in December 2008. Jewish and Muslim leaders immediately sat together with the broader religious leadership and with good will and respect sought to understand the military action, the political motivations and implications. A media release was agreed upon on 15^th January 2009.

As the religious leadership of South Africa moves ahead with the process of establishing the National Charter of Religious Rights, the WCRLF has been represented in the discussion forums and will monitor the process as the Charter moves towards the stage of legislation.

In February 2009 the WCRLF attended the NRLF/NASRAD conference in Port Elizabeth in which the Government once again made it clear that in Early Childhood Development the faith community was their best partner.

Currently WCRLF is engaged with the debate of prostitution and considering the proposed legislation and is working with the South Africa Law Reform commission.

Religious participation in the FIFA 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa

The WCRLF engaged with FIFA 2010 during the World Cup hosted by South Africa regarding the religious participation in the inaugural events and the provision of support services at the stadium and fan parks of the Western Cape. The programme steered by the religious sector will form part of the main cluster areas of the Department of Social Development. The religious theme will to be top promote a message of welcome and hospitality to the visitors and to share our culture of diversity and tolerance.

It is clear that the WCRLF has already made a contribution to social capital and social cohesion in the Western Cape and with support from the Province and from its own constituent members the structure promises to continue to have significant impact.

The following programmes, and task teams have been identified to respond to the challenges facing the Western Cape province, and South Africa.

Written by Fr John Oliver, WCRLF Convenor, 2009

Task Teams

Over time the following programmes, and task teams have been identified to respond to the challenges facing the Western Cape province, and South Africa.