The forum, hosted by the Ethiopian Catholic Church (ECC), was kicked off on 13 Sep. 2008 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Microfinance - Innovative Strategy towards achieving MDGs”.

Addressing the forum, ECC Archbishop Abune Berhaneyesus Surafel said his church is playing its level best in alleviating the overwhelming poverty in the country through undertaking multifaceted development program.

The church is providing financial assistance to active poor focusing on women in rural micro financing with a view to reducing the root cause of poverty. The church in collaboration with partners has already established a micro-finance institution in order to provide the service to active poor.

Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa, Jacques Dinan on his part said churches are actively participating in poverty reduction activities including expansion of micro finance service in the continent.

The forum will help member-states to draw important lessons for practical implementation of micro finance service in their respective countries, he said.

Secretary of General of the Caritas Internationalis (CI), Lesley Anne Knight on her part said it is time to renew determination toward achieving the MDGs since the whole world is at half way to meet the target.

CI has been taking campaigning for action on the MDGs in international forums. CI will also take part in the coming UN assembly in New York, USA to be held on 25 Sep. 2008 for the same cause.

Economic Affairs Commission of African Union, Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwenzalamba on his part said the theme of the forum is timely in accelerating the attainment of the MDGS by African nations.

He said the provision of micro-finance service, which is very much limited in Africa, allows the poor in Africa to diversify their income and uplift their standard of living. AU has developed a microfinance policy framework to be adopted in the coming year, he said.

The three-day forum attracted lots of participants form 45 member states and from CI.

Caritas Africa is a confederation of Catholic relief, development and social service organizations operating in 45 countries and territories in Africa. It holds its own forum every two years.

R: 4:00-4:20 PM/E: 3:56-4:21 pm

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