The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev Samuel Kobia continued on his Latin America tour recently with a visit to Brasilia, the Brazilian capital on 5th November 2004. The he met with the Brazilian vice-president, José Alencar and one of the main topics under discussion was the desperate need to overcome poverty in the world.

Kobia said to Alencar during the meeting, “I would say that poverty id the moral equivalent to weapons of mass destruction, given that poverty kills more humans than these weapons do.”

Kobia also commented that the Brazilian government’s efforts in this area were an inspiration to all and that they should serve as an example to all other countries.

The Brazilian vice-president agreed with the points pout forward by Kobia and also emphasised that there was always a correlation between the impoverishment of some and the enrichment of others. He stated the need to create conditions for each of the world’s regions so that the natural and human potential of each area could be reached.

Another topic of discussion between the two was the issue of small firearms.

Kobia said, “The problem of small firearms has consequences that are comparable to a war. While one country is not pitted against another, they cost an enormous number of human lives each year.”

The Brazilian government are currently implementing a disarmament initiative, on which Kobia commented was a great enterprise, and one that many could learn from.

Other issues brought under discussion during the visit were how to combat racism, climate change, and how to protect indigenous people’s rights.

Alencar also made his view known that the most serious problem facing the world today was the phenomenon of suicide terrorists who consistently defy all logic of safety.

The meeting ended after an hour of discussion with a prayer, which was led by Anglican Bishop of Brasilia, Maurício Andrade.

Also whilst in the Brazilian capital, the WCC general secretary met representatives from WCC member churches in CONIC HQ. There Kobia was told about the proposed 2005 Fraternity Campaign, which is usually run by the Roman Catholic Church, but will next year be led by CONIC for the second time.

From Brazil, Kobia will carry on his Latin America Tour in Brazil (Salvador, Porto Alegre), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Uraguay (Montevideo) and Chile (Santiago).