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Overture 45
On Appointing a Special Committee to Explore
the Radical Reduction of the Impact of Malaria in Sub-Saharan
Africa—From the Presbytery of Northern New York
The Presbytery of Northern New York overtures
the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) to explore the radical reduction of the impact of malaria
in sub-Saharan Africa.
_ To this end a special committee shall be composed of persons
appointed by the Moderator of the 217th General Assembly (2006),
who shall also extend an invitation to the Moderator the Church
of Central Africa-Presbyterian to appoint committee members
from the CCAP who shall be full participants.
_ The committee will seek to create a framework for collaboration
with a broad partnership of civic, health, philanthropic, and
other organizations. It would not only seek to address the ravages
of malaria, but also: (1) work with partners to establish relationships
and protocols that would facilitate both fiscal responsibility
and fidelity of participation for collaborators; (2) identify
how a large-scale, multi-organizational effort would be managed
and reviewed; and, (3) identify specific difficulties minimizing
success in previous efforts to combat malaria.
_ A report detailing an international plan of action will be
presented to the 218th General Assembly (2008).
Rationale
The Presbytery of Northern New York is convicted
by the ravages of malaria—causing the death of 1.2 million
people in sub-Saharan Africa annually.
Malaria is a disease whose impact is most potent in the parts
of the world that are both rural and extremely poor; pregnant
women, children under the age of five, and the elderly are the
most vulnerable and comprise the vast majority of the fatalities;
for those who survive, malaria is a lifelong condition. Only
with cooperation and coordination can we reach this deeply into
suffering.
Current estimates from the “Roll Back Malaria” Partnership
suggest there is currently $250 million being spent worldwide
to combat malaria, where $1.8 billion is needed.
The Presbytery of Northern New York believes God is calling
the PC(USA) to play a specific role in gathering the strength
of many to end the ravaging destruction of malaria in sub-Saharan
Africa.
We believe the devastation of malaria is so enormous and the
cost so massive, no one will be able to truly make a difference
alone. If a special committee were tasked to create the framework
for a broad partnership built upon sustainable mission in Africa
and utilizing models of public health that have achieved recognized
success, then the challenge will be met with the necessary leverage.
Extreme poverty, the scale of the disease, and the challenges
of sub-Saharan Africa all necessitate an effort beyond the PC(USA).
Jesus said it only takes a little yeast to leaven the whole
loaf. We cannot solve malaria or effect the necessary change
on our own. Yet, through Jesus Christ, we can be the leaven
who raises the whole.
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