Revd Andy Bowerman and Revd Rachel Carnegie are taking forward the Anglican Alliance mandate for development, relief and advocacy in their new roles as co-directors of the Alliance.
And Archbishop Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa and Chair of the Alliance’s board of trustees, has welcomed the two into their roles and looks forward to the “new and exciting stage” of Alliance work.
He said, “Our new executive directors, who will be sharing the role, will shape the Anglican response to the global challenges of poverty and injustice in our fast-changing world.
“It is a key mission of our Church, to respond to people in need and transform unjust structures, witnessing to the love of God. This appointment marks the start of a new and exciting stage of the Alliance’s development.
“We are now established as a charitable company with a global board, a solid programme of capacity building in development, a voice in international advocacy and a record of support for church communities hit by disasters.”
Both Andy and Rachel are committed to take forward the role of the Anglican Alliance in its next stage. They will continue to bring together churches and agencies and strengthen development, relief and advocacy across the Anglican Communion.
Andy and Rachel said: “We are thrilled and honoured to be asked to co-lead the Anglican Alliance into this new phase in its life.
“We step into this role at a pivotal and creative time. We believe passionately that the Church should remain at the forefront of community development, relief and advocacy, as an integral part of its mission, and expressing God’s loving care.
“As joint directors, we will seek to nurture collaboration. The Alliance will draw people together to imagine and help create a just and sustainable world where humanity flourishes.”
After a period of induction and an excellent handover from former director Sally Keeble, they have been ready to hit the ground running. A significant humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and a full on-going work plan has kept them both very busy in their first two weeks!
And in the next few months they will be connecting with colleagues across the Communion. A new regional facilitator in Africa will be appointed, advocacy engagement at the G20 in Australia will be developed, and an exisiting worldwide work plan will be taken forward.
They will work with the Alliance Board, Advisory Council and staff team to reflect on the last three years and the priorities set by initial regional consultations. The Alliance’s plans for the next three years will be in line with these priorities and continue to focus on local, prominent needs.
In the initial stages Rachel will lead on relief, whilst Andy will take on advocacy. They will each take a lead in the wider development strand that forms the third core pillar of Alliance work.
Revd Rachel Carnegie has over 20 years experience in international development, particularly in Africa and South Asia, and has worked for faith-based and international humanitarian organisations including Tearfund, Save the Children and Unicef. She was ordained in 2004, and is the author of a range of publications, with a particular focus on child-related and health development issues.
Revd Andy Bowerman, has a long experience in poverty, advocacy, disability and HIV and Aids, both in the UK and internationally. He has been closely involved with Tearfund and a range of other faith-based and international charities, especially working on HIV in South and Central Asia. He has an entrepreneurial background, and has opened a community restaurant that puts profits into development work.
Archbishop Albert Chama said, “It is a big challenge they take on and the prayers of many around the Communion will be with them.”
In the picture: Revd Rachel Carnegie (left) and Revd Andy Bowerman (right).