The Pan African Women Theologians conference was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from August 4th to August 8th 2002. The theme of the Conference was Sex, Stigma and HIV/AIDS: African Women Challenging Religion, Culture and Social Practices. 140 Circle members attended the conference from 25 countries. The deliberations of the conference defined the agenda of the Circle for the next five years, 2002-2007. (A full report of the conference is on the Circle website).

Musimbi Kanyoro, Former Circle Coordinator, handing over the books of the Circle to Isabel Phiri, new Circle Coordinator.

Outgoing Circle Committee Members 1996-2002

The new circle committee would like to thank the outgoing committee for a job well done. You are the people who kept the touch of the Circle burning for the last seven years. The new committee will call upon you from time to time to draw on your wisdom. The members of the outgoing international coordinating committee that served since 1996 are as follows:

Coordinator: Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro
Research Coordinator: Dr. Mercy Amba Oduyoye
Theological Education and Ministerial Formation in Africa:
Rev. Dr. Nyambura Njoroge

Zone leaders:
Southern Africa: Rev. Phina Olga Kgosana
Eastern Africa: Rev. Grace Ndyabahika
Western Africa: Dr. Rabiatu Ammah
Francophone Africa: Ms. Hélène Yinda
Lusophone Africa: Ms. Eva Gomez
Francophone communication secretary: Sr. Bernadette Mbuy Beya
Anglophone communication secretary: Dr. Teresia Mbari Hinga

News from the General Coordinator Coordinator's Office
Dr Beverley Haddad worked with Isabel to establish the Circle's office in the School of Theology from October 2002 to April 2003. The School of Theology offered space for the Circle office, financial support for the Administrative Officer and general administration support while the Circle office was finding its feet. The support is greatly appreciated. Bev, the Circle wishes you well in your new full time job.

Celebrating Achievements
Prof Musa Dube The Circle is happy to congratulate Prof Musa Dube for her recent promotion from senior lecturer to Associate Professor at the University of Botswana. Musa is currently on leave of absent from her teaching job and is doing consultancy work for the World Council of Churches in Theological Institutions and HIV/AIDS curriculum. She is still based in Gabarone, Botswana.

Have you recently graduated with a diploma, degree, honours, Masters or PhD/ DMin? Please inform us at the Circle office in Pietermaritzburg so that we can share in your success with the rest of the Circle members. In your information, include the name of the institution, the qualification obtained, and where applicable the title of your dissertation/thesis.

Please tell us about your other achievements as well, including promotion from work, publication of an article or a book etc.