* Original message posted in: VATICAN.   
   * Crossposted in: IN_CATHOLIC.   
      
   VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE   
      
   TWENTIETH YEAR - N. 168   
   ENGLISH   
   TUESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2010   
      
   SUMMARY:   
      
   - Abidjan Meeting to Promote Development in Africa   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
   ABIDJAN MEETING TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 28 SEP 2010 (VIS) - A preparatory meeting for a forum on   
   "Cultures, identities of peoples and development in Africa and the Black   
   Diaspora" began yesterday in the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The   
   initiative is being promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the   
   Congregation for the Evangelisation of peoples, while the forum itself is   
   due to be held in Abidjan in March 2011.   
      
     Among those participating in the preparatory meeting, which ends on 1   
   October, are Fr. Barthelemy Adoukonou, secretary of the Pontifical Council   
   for Culture, and Archbishop Robert Sarah, secretary of the Congregation for   
   the Evangelisation of Peoples. Also taking part will be Cardinal   
   Theodore-Adrien Sarr, president of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West   
   Africa (CERAO) and vice president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences   
   of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and other bishops and theologians, as well   
   as diplomatic representatives from Ivory Coast and Benin.   
      
     "This year Africa is celebrating fifty years of independence of many   
   countries from colonial rule", reads an English-language communique released   
   by the Pontifical Council for Culture. "How far has this culturally rich and   
   diverse continent, made up of different colours and hues, profited from   
   independence? What mark has development made on people's lives and how has   
   globalisation impacted the cultures of the continent?"   
      
     "The Pontifical Council for Culture in collaboration with the Congregation   
   for the Evangelisation of Peoples aims to create a forum with representation   
   from different ecclesiastical, international and non-governmental   
   organisations in order to find ways and strategies through which development   
   can be promoted while focusing on the human person made in the likeness and   
   image of God".   
      
     The forum is also intended "to become a permanent place of reflection, for   
   concrete proposals for a cultural and educational engagement which will   
   promote a body concerned with development in Africa".   
   CON-CU/                                                         VIS 20100928   
   (310)   
   --- timEd/2 1.10.y2k+   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS-Meridian, MS-bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)