Global Justice and Global Poverty Programs
In its Global Justice and Global Poverty program, CGJR works ecumenically and through interfaith networking to promote collaboration among faith communities and development NGOs in numerous projects. Framed by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the program.s current priorities include:
Consultation of Religious Leaders
The Center’s first project was the convening of an international, inter-denominational Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty at the Cathedral in September 2005. The leaders of many Christian denominations including five Secretary Generals came together in conversation, prayer, and action for two days, issuing a .Call to Partnership. to their churches, governments, and all people of good will which provides the moral grounds for collaborative action by and with the religious sector. The Center received its mandate from that Call and has translated its message into two major initiatives: Global Justice and Global Poverty and International Reconciliation and Peacemaking.
Malaria Control and Prevention
Working in partnership with Adventist Development and Relief Agency, the Mozambican Ministry of Health, and CGJR, the leaders of 11 Muslim, Christian, and other faith communities in Mozambique are mounting a campaign to reach every faith leader in the country with Malaria prevention and control education, so that each faith leader can in turn mobilize their own communities against malaria. On June 27, 2007, First Lady Laura Bush visited Maputo, Mozambique and announced the official commencement of the collaborative Together Against Malaria (TAM) project. TAM received over $2 million dollars from the President.s Malaria Initiative and is expected to reach more than 1.5 million over the course of the next three years. Malaria kills over 40,000 children under five in Mozambique, and most of the country.s population is considered at risk for this disease. This faith community and social mobilization program is set to commence in the province of Zambezia in Fall 2007.
For more information on the program, please visit the following links:
- CGJR Malaria Program brochure
- Together Against Malaria video “When the Rain Comes”
- Watch video (Windows Media format)
- Audio only (MP3) (right click to download)
Women’s Empowerment
Washington National Cathedral presented Breakthrough: The Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty on April 13.14, 2008. Breakthrough, which took place in Washington, D.C. and other venues, formally launched the Women.s Faith and Development Alliance (WFDA), a multi-year advocacy and communications campaign aimed at making investment in women and girls a key priority for government and donor spending.
HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa
The Diocese of Washington shares a companion relationship with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and the Center supports faith-based organizations there in the prevention, care, and treatment of those living with HIV/AIDS.
International Reconciliation and Peacemaking Programs
CGJR’s International Reconciliation Peacemaking program seeks to reduce international conflict and promote peace and reconciliation by engaging in inter-religious dialogue and interfaith relationship building; participating in informal diplomacy; and promoting respectful engagement between estranged parties. Program priorities include:
Interfaith and Inter-religious Dialogue
A strong partnership with the followers of the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) is an important component of the Cathedral’s mission. The Center employs the convening power of the Cathedral to build bridges between and among followers of the Abrahamic faiths through dialogue, relationship building, and shared activities.
United States-Iran Relations
Through efforts in interfaith relationship building, in-country visits, and exchange programs, the Center continues to play an important role in Christian-Muslim and US-Iran relations. We continue to explore ways to promote peace between peoples of our two great faiths and nations.
Justice and Reconciliation in the Holy Land
Staff from the Center continue working to raise awareness with lawmakers and the public to help shed light on unfavorable conditions and restrictions imposed on Christians living in Palestine today.