In its 6th Edition, the Annual Namibia Family Conference (ANFC) was convened on December 10 by Youth One Africa Ministries, the Coalition of Churches and Organisations on Ethical Social Justice, the Alliance of Christian Churches in Namibia (ACCN), Passover Africa, ENOSI, New Wave and the 24-Hour Prayer and Worship Gathering.
The ANFC is convened annually on December, which is both International Human Rights Day and Namibia Women’s Day, as part of the Church’s contribution to national development efforts, through a specific focus on building a healthy family and highlighting its central role in contributing to the realisation of human rights in Namibia.
The 6th ANFC was held under the theme: “The Church Fortifying the Family Against Alcohol and Drug Addiction”.
During the panel discussion on “The Impact of Alcohol and Drug Addiction on the Family and Society at large from the Law Enforcement Perspective”, participants were informed of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, including criminal activities, safety concerns, domestic violence, poor school performance, family instability, and job loss, amongst others. The police representatives on the panel said that young people between the ages of 19 and 35 are the most affected by drug-related arrests. They therefore implored parents not to shield drug users, but rather to work with the police in reporting any illegal activities in order to curb drug use. They encouraged parents, and community members to understand the law and and for the Church to establish or support youth groups where young people can receive the necessary encouragement and support to lead productive lives.
The second panel discussion, which was constitued by social workers and mental health experts, sought to provide guidance on how to break the cycle of addictions. They noted that consumers of alcohol and drugs normally don’t deliberately decide that they will become alcohol or drug addicts, but that circumstances, such as peer pressure, trauma, problems at home or work, and depression, often lead people into substance abuse. Nevertheless, at times even situations of rejection, soul wounds, triggers of low self-esteem and simple invitations, may open the door to experimentations.
The panelists emphasised that a strong and healthy family is a vital pillar for its individual members, to prevent, avoid and deal with substance abuse. They further noted there is a spirtual element to substance abuse, emphasising that substances such as dagga/marijuana/weed opens the door to spiritual attacks and mental disturbances. Panelists therefore highlighted the role of the Church in addressing substance abuse, including through prayer and biblical counselling, and providing safe spaces where addicts can find healing from brokenness.
During the conference, three former addicts testified of the power of reading Bible Scriptures and how that changed their lives to bring complete healing and transformation.
Spiritual leaders narrowed in on the influence of the Church to educate the public, to provide mentorship and spiritual backing to the family and its individual members, and to continuously speak into this space of addressing alcohol and drug abuse in the society, as evidenced by the holding of this 6th Edition of the ANFC.
Since December 2020 ANFCs have been held, under the following themes: “Strengthening the Role of the Father in National Development by Addressing Fatherlessness” (2020); “Building Strong Marriagesand the Impact of Pornography” (2021); “Healing of the Nation from Abortion and Baby Dumping” (2022); “God, Divorce and the Family: Preserving the Namibian Nation” (2023); and “Bringing Hope to the Namibian Youth to Overcome Same-Sex Attraction” (2024).
The convening of these conferences by the Church, among other activities, is a testimony of the contribution of the Church to national development efforts, as envisioned in Chapter Three of Namibia’s national development blueprint, Vision 2030, which highlights the importance of Christianity in Namibia, because it provides a foundation for the moral upbringing of children, and is critical in fostering harmony and peaceful coexistence. Furthermore, Vision 2030 recognises that the fear of God is central to decision-making, providing a moral compass for the Nation and ensuring a just and morally upright society.
Speakers at the 6th Conference also called upon the Government to do more to curb alcohol and drug abuse, and to protect the family (the fundamental unit of society) and its individual members, including by strengthening the legal framework to give further effect to Article 14 of the Namibian Constitution.
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