| Conference gives grant for African peace institute By Celinda J. Hughes
United Methodist News Service A new peace initiative at Africa University is getting a $15,000 boost from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Bishop Felton Edwin May presented the gift during the April 3-4 meeting of the universitys board of directors, in response to a request for seed money for the new Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance. Bishop May, vice chairman of the board, highlighted the importance of the universitys work to contribute to a culture of peace, good governance, security and socio-economic development. In partnership with Africa University and the Zimbabwe annual conferences, the Baltimore-Washington Conference shares the dreams of peace with justice for all of Gods people in Africa, he said. We believe that the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance is long overdue in its establishment. I pray that those persons trained at the institute will truly become agents of reconciliation and peace. So far, a total of 251 participants from 17 countries, including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, have attended the institutes workshops. Emergency and disaster response workers who trained at the university are providing assistance in areas throughout Africa affected by drought or war.  The gift comes at a critical time as we move toward the launch of the institute next year, said Professor Rukudzo Murapa, Africa Universitys vice chancellor.
Next January, the United Methodist-related university will launch the masters program at the institute. In addition to conventional academic course work, the institute will also run workshops, conferences and retreats for leaders, professionals and others from the public and private sectors. At the board of directors meeting, the top executive of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, said that Africa Universitys biggest challenge in the new century is to strengthen its leadership. Del Pino pledged his agencys support in helping to build these leaders. Our task as a Board of Higher Education and Ministry is to care for and do all that is prudent and bold, he said, to ensure that all of our institutions of higher learning that are integral to nurturing leadership for the church and the world are focused in mission, strong in infrastructure and effective in their management. This is especially the case for Africa University. There are no big Is or little yous around this table, he said. I am deeply convicted that we are all committed to responding creatively, boldly and faithfully to the challenges that confront us at this stage of the journey. Del Pino also said the Board of Higher Education and Africa University must: - Not succumb to the notion that mission follows money. It never has and it never will in any enterprise that is born of faith in a living God of history.
- Ensure that in all its actions, the board takes seriously the present realities while not blurring the universitys commitment to bold and sustainable growth and development.
While the board focused on its future, it also took time to celebrate its history. On the first day of the meeting, the directors as well as other visitors joined the students, faculty and staff for the launch of Africa Universitys 10th anniversary observances. Events will be held throughout the year, culminating in a Nov. 16 celebration. | 
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