PAC to unveil its findings on federalism on December 10

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC), an umbrella body for major faith communities represented in Malawi, will present its findings on consultations it carried on the heated debate of federalism on December 10 2015.

The findings will be presented during a national follow up conference on Inclusivity and Federalism in Blantyre on Thursday, December 10.

PAC did the consultations from November 14 to June 2015 following a heated debate among various stakeholders, with some speaking in support of it and others against.

Calls for federal system of government had gained ground among various stakeholders in the country.

At last year’s all inclusive conference, delegates and PAC suggested for more consultations and discussions to ably promote inclusivity in policy formulation and implementation in a bid to promote social cohesion.

While the debate on federalism was welcomed, several vices were noted ranging from nepotism, regionalism and tribalism to lack of basic understanding on the concept itself and how it works.

PAC was founded in 1992 by the religious community and other pressure groups to enter into a dialogue with the country’s founding President late Hastings Kamuzu Banda during the transition period from the one-party to the multiparty system of government.

The organisation has since carried on as an inter-faith organization comprising the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), the Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi (QMAM), the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC), the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) and the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

From these main faith groups, PAC draws 24 members organizations and four associate members.

It is also the national chapter of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP).

PAC is aimed at mobilizing the general public through the religious community and other stakeholders in promoting democracy, development, peace and unity through civic education,  mediation and advocacy.