INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF KENYA (IRCK) STRATEGIC PLAN
The World Conference on Religion and Peace, Kenya Chapter, held a Strategic Planning Retreat from 11th to 13th June 2004. It wishes to share its vision and its overall strategy with as many Kenyans as possible. We are therefore reproducing part of the strategic plan as WCRP’s insert in this issue.
During the retreat the decision was made to change the name of the organization to Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK). This decision was made to reflect more accurately the major aim of the organization as expressed in the vision statement below.
The leaders of the major faith communities have so far been active in WCRP-Kenya mainly through the programme on HIV/AIDS and Children. However, as WCRP-Kenya wished to expand its activities into other areas, it was keen to involve the religious leaders in this new strategy. For this reason four of the chief religious leaders in Kenya, namely Most Reverend Raphael Ndingi Mwana ‘a Nzeki, Archbishop of the Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese, Professor Abdulghafur El Busaidy, Chairman, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Most Reverend Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Bishop of All Saints Cathedral and Mr. Ashwin Patel, Chairman, Hindu Council of Kenya were invited to the premises of WCRP on the 30th of June 2004 and were formally recognized as the Council of Religious Elders. They are endorsing IRCK’s plan and strategy.
During the retreat the decision was made to change the name of the organization to Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK). This decision was made to reflect more accurately the major aim of the organization as expressed in the vision statement below.
The leaders of the major faith communities have so far been active in WCRP-Kenya mainly through the programme on HIV/AIDS and Children. However, as WCRP-Kenya wished to expand its activities into other areas, it was keen to involve the religious leaders in this new strategy. For this reason four of the chief religious leaders in Kenya, namely Most Reverend Raphael Ndingi Mwana ‘a Nzeki, Archbishop of the Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese, Professor Abdulghafur El Busaidy, Chairman, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Most Reverend Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Bishop of All Saints Cathedral and Mr. Ashwin Patel, Chairman, Hindu Council of Kenya were invited to the premises of WCRP on the 30th of June 2004 and were formally recognized as the Council of Religious Elders. They are endorsing IRCK’s plan and strategy.
Our Vision
To be an independent exemplary Inter Religious Forum recognised and respected worldwide for its work in fostering respect, tolerance, peace and common action among different religions in the pursuit of social and economic well being of all the people of Kenya.
Our Mission
To act as a catalyst for promoting greater tolerance and understanding among different religious communities in Kenya with a view to mobilising joint efforts to respond effectively to social, economic and environmental needs of the people.
Our Statement of Values
We will, by action, be a caring institution that respects the views and circumstances of all those we work and interact with, while upholding the highest standards of integrity in the course of carrying out our mandate.
Our Long term Goals
- To become a leading and powerful voice of conscience in Kenya, making tangible contribution to sustainable peace, economic justice and better governance.
- To contribute to sustainable management of the impact of HIV/AIDS and prevention of new infections.
- To be financially independent for our core operations.
OVERALL STRATEGY
The key planks of the overall strategy that Inter-Religious Council of Kenya will adopt in the pursuit of its goals consist of the following:
- Open-forum approach to build trust among the different faiths.
- Deep-reach intervention through direct collaboration with faith partners
- Informed intervention based on thorough research and analysis.
- Complementary and networked partnership in which we will actively reach out to other players whose projects and programmes are complementary.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The key objectives are also the Key Result Areas (KRAs) or Programme Areas. These are the areas around which Task Forces will be established. These are listed below with main sub-programme areas and specific implementation strategies to be adopted. The sub-objectives or tasks necessary to achieve each objective are listed in the work plan.
HIV/AIDS
- Care and Support
- Prevention
- Stigma and discrimination
- Advocacy
PEACE BUILDING
- Conflict Resolution
- Capacity Building
- Key implementation strategies (for HIV/AIDS and Peace Building)
- Implementation through Faith Communities and Faith Based Community
Organizations.
- Key implementation strategies (for HIV/AIDS and Peace Building)
- Co-ordination of the efforts of the faiths communities active in peace initiatives, and
- Civic education and knowledge sharing.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
- Market Economy
Key implementation strategies:
- Implement through Faith Communities and Faith Based Community Organizations.
- Co-ordinate the efforts of the faith communities active in economic justice initiatives, and
- Engage in advocacy and education to bring pressure to bear on relevant authorities..
Income Distribution
Key implementation strategies:
Through faith communities and civil society groups:
- Lobby for fair legislation (new or change).
- Carry out civic education.
- Carry out further research, analysis, and document and disseminate information.
Debt
Key implementation strategies:
Through Faith Communities and Faith Based Community Organizations and civil society pressure groups:
- Lobby for new legislation.
- Debt relief/cancellation; and
- Create public awareness on debt issues.
GOVERNANCE
Kenya’s Constitutional Review Process
Key implementation strategies:
- Partnership with faith communities and civil society groups, and
- Research, analysis, documentation and dissemination.
Transitional Justice
Key implementation strategies:- Research, analysis and application of traditional, cultural, religious justice systems, and
- Public campaigns, in partnership with other stakeholders.
Public Ethics
Key implementation strategies:- Implement through faith communities, and
- Network with other partners.
WORK PLAN
The work plan for three years and log frame are in the main report. Here we are listing the key activities under each key result area (programme area) – excluding the HIV/AIDS programme:
PEACE BUILDING
Conflict resolution:- Identify potential and current conflicts.
- Undertake in-depth analysis of causes of conflicts.
- Intervene based on the outcome of the analysis.
Capacity building:
- Build capacity of religious leaders in peace building.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Market Economy: Analyse, document, repackage and disseminate information on:- Unfair trade practices.
- Impact of monopolies.
- Impact of liberalisation, and
- Intervene based on the outcome of the analysis.
Income Distribution:
- Analyse, document and repackage information on inequitable income distribution.
- Influence policy formulation and legislation.
Debt: Analyse, document and repackage information on current and potential debt commitments with a view to:
- Seeking debt relief/debt cancellation.
- Promoting transparency and public awareness.
- Influencing relevant policy formulation and legislation.
GOVERNANCE
- The Kenya Constitution Review Process
- Agitation for enactment of the new constitution.
- Monitoring the implementation of enacted constitution.
- Participation in relevant constitutional organs.
- Transitional Justice
- Human rights violation - healing, reconciliation and compensation.
- Economic plunder – restitution.
- Public Ethics
- Public complaints desks.
- Education.