PACANet is an international Christian, non-denominational, organization
established to provide technical support in advocacy, networking and capacity
development for Christian responses to HIV and AIDS in Africa. It also promotes
strategic networking, collaboration and partnerships among churches, Christian
Organizations and Networks in order to strengthen the fight against HIV and
AIDS on the continent.
Brief history of PACANet
The Genesis of PACANet is embedded in the hearts of persons, churches and organizations
who shared a big vision and passion for the HIV and AIDS campaign on the Africa
continent. There was a felt realize need among Churches and Christian
organizations to link together and network.
In June 2002 in Gaborone, Botswana, ‘The Working Together Conference’ was held.
This conference was sponsored by the Bristol-Meyers Squibb; Secure The Future
and the World Council of Churches. Over 100 participants convened from more
than 19 different African countries. Participation included development
agencies, namely, USAID, Swedish SIDA and the World Bank; multilateral
agencies, specifically UNICEF and UNAIDS, plus Christian international or
regional organizations such as the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), MAP
International, Balm in Gilead and Inter-Church Medical Alliance as well as
grassroots practitioners. The outcome of the conference was the formation of
the Pan African Christian AIDS Network.
Vision Statement
The vision statement of PACANet is “To have an AIDS free Africa, where the impact
has been mitigated”.
Mission Statement
“The Pan African Christian AIDS Network (PACANet) exists to link churches,
Christian organizations and networks in Africa to enhance their HIV and AIDS
responses by sharing resources, ideas, skills, experiences and stimulating
strategic partnerships”.
PACANet was given a four dimension mandate to “Mobilize and empower the church
in Africa to effectively respond to the challenge of HIV and AIDS”
1. Information and Networking.
2. Advocacy within and without the Church.
3. Capacity Development of Churches and Christian
organizations
4. Resource facilitation and mobilization for interventions
of the constituency.
5. Institutional Capacity for the PACANet Secretariat
Its membership is constituency based comprising of Country Christian AIDS
Networks (CCANets) Churches, regional and continental institutions, and
Christian AIDS organizations based in Africa with a view of reaching all people
and participating organizations. PACANet has so far established six CCANets but
its work spreads over the continent. Currently, partnering countries include:
Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, Madagascar, Swaziland, Malawi,
Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.
In its service to the African Christian HIV and AIDS interventions, PACANet has
developed a five key player operational model that supports its intended
mission of reaching the grass root level organizations. The model is intended
to support the PACANet Secretariat through Country Christian AIDS Networks
(CCANets) and Resource Bank of Organisations and persons, to empower, equip and
facilitate the grassroots Christian interventions so as to ultimately provide
meaningful and quality comprehensive HIV/AIDS interventions to the populations
on the African continent.
1. Grassroots Christian HIV and AIDS Interventions: These
are the direct service delivery implementers at community level, yet intended
end-point beneficiaries of the capacity development services facilitated by
PACANet.
2. Country Christian AIDS Networks (CCANet): For each
country, CCANet is a coordinating and networking mechanism at country level.
This is the structure PACANet believes is best placed to reach and support
Christian grassroots interventions.
3. Resource Bank of organizations and individuals; Comprising
of Christian organizations, institutions and individuals with knowledge,
experience and expertise that can be utilized in enhancing the capacities of
country networks, grassroots interventions and/or the PACANet Secretariat.
4. PACANet (Secretariat and regional offices): Serves the
continental Christian constituency in coordinating and facilitating the roles
of the various players in the fight against HIV and AIDS in this model. The
Secretariat may have branches at regional or country levels as may be seen from
time to time.
5. Strategic Partners: include development agencies,
governments, institutions and individuals who invest into or contribute to
PACANet’s cause, directly or indirectly.
Development Goal
To positively engage and position the Church in Africa as an effective and
efficient partner in response to HIV and AIDS.
