Sifco holds 6th AGM with record number of members |03 November 2017
Forty registered members, both individual faith members and representatives of religious bodies turned up for the 6th annual general meeting (AGM) organised by Sifco (Seychelles Interfaith Council) on October 26 at the National Council for Children’s headquarters.
The chairman, Bishop Denis Wiehe, refreshed the meeting on Sifco’s history since its launching in 2012 and reported on the activities Sifco undertook in 2016/17 including:
-Participation and contribution to the Truth and Reconciliation symposium. A follow up meeting, to which the Leader of Government business and Head of the Opposition were invited, enlightened the members on the feedback from the public who have been affected and discussed the role of religious leaders in offering spiritual guidance to both victims and perpetrators to assist in a peaceful transition to a more united Seychelles.
- Contribution by Sifco to the proposal to decriminalize homosexuality, ‘soft’ drugs use and the White Paper on the Civil code. A discussion forum was held with government representatives and a common response to the amendments proposed to the Civil Code was sent to the VP’s office and Parliament.
- Offering of Spiritual reflections for the nation on National Day and New Year.
- Meetings with the President, the Vice-President and the Minister for Family Affairs.
- Participation by representatives of Sifco in several workshops and meetings organized by the Secretary of State for the prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation and the Minister for Family Affairs.
- Preparation of a Peace message that was published by the Press on the occasion of UN Peace Day.
- Organization of visit to the Brahma Kumaris meditation centre on the occasion of UN Interfaith harmony week.
- Signing of the lease for land at Perseverance as a common place of worship .
- Participation in regional forums organized by the African Council of religious leaders.
- Discussion on the issue of an additional public holiday and providing feedback and recommendations in response to a proposal by government.
- Finalizing of a logo and letterhead.
Sifco is also represented on the following boards and agencies and members were briefed on some of the developments :
Board of the Agency for the prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation (Bishop Wiehe), National forum National Forum for poverty consensus (Bishop Wiehe), SBC Board (Marion Gendron), National Film Classification Board (Lim Sam), National Aids Council (Reverend Christine Benoit). At the regional level, Sifco is also represented on the Executive committee of the Women of Faith network for Africa and the Core group for Eastern Africa regarding Extractive Industries (Marion Gendron).
Several sub-committees had been set up to consult on the work at hand with regards to truth and Reconciliation, construction of a building on Perseverance and the SBC.
Rev. Benoit explained the 5 pillars for tackling Aids by the UN and a lively debate ensued.
Mrs Gendron gave a presentation on the General meeting of the African Council of Religious leaders held in Abuja in October together with the forum ‘Faith Works Africa’. They focused on the role religion plays in building resilience and empowering people. In Nairobi in July, religious representatives were being trained to understand and play a role in the extractive industry to empower people to face the challenges and combat corruption, injustice and exploitation that are deterrents to peace.
Following the presentation and confirmation of the minutes of the previous AGM by Bishop French Chang-Him, secretary of Sifco, members approved the new management structure of Sifco and certain minor amendments to the Constitution. In view of the growing membership of the Council it was considered time to distinguish the larger Council or Association from the management committee which is a smaller body representative of the diversity of religions and meets more frequently and has specific functions.
The plan of Action for the year was shared and included:
- An interfaith activity during Harmony week in February that will be open to the public so as to encourage respect and understanding of each other’s beliefs.
- On-going work on national boards and agencies with the help of Sifco sub-committees for the betterment of society.
- Organization of and participation in spiritual reflections.
- Follow upon on the UniSey chaplaincy project to guide our future leaders on aspects of morality and spirituality.
- Assist the government in establishing policy guidelines on religion.
- Contribute to policy formulation and legislation.
- Enlarge membership of Sifco through individual registration.
SIFCO’s role as the moral and spiritual voice of the Nation has as objectives to promote Interfaith dialogue, comprehension and harmony and any activity aiming at favouring bridges among the various religious communities in Seychelles; promote National Unity; take a stand in order to promote the holistic and integrated development of every human being in Seychelles and addresses all forms, causes and effects of oppression that hinder the development and progress of any person in collaboration with all stakeholders.
The accompanying photos show highlights of the AGM as well as Sifco’s participation in national events.
Contributed