New Zealand has a vital contribution to make in the on-going work of the Council for World Mission's (CWM) commitment to the equal partnership and participation of men and women in mission. Rev Richard Lawrence, from Hamilton, attended a CWM conference on women and men in mission in Goa, India, in April. He says it was very valuable to share the experiences of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand with delegates from around 20 countries.

"It's important to continue reporting to the CWM so our experience becomes part of the council's experience." He says most people were very surprised to learn New Zealand's prime minister, leader of the opposition, governor-general, chief justice and attorney general were all women. It was an interesting comparision to the experience of keynote speaker, Dr Musa Dobe. A top new testament scholar at the University of Botswana, Dr Dobe addressed an impressive number of church leaders who attended the conference including a bishop from Africa and the Bishop of Calcutta - yet she would be unable to do so in her home village. Dr Dobe took as her theme, "Christ the Liberator".

Rev Lawrence was one of two delegates from New Zealand along with Bob Franklin, Secretary of the Congregational Union Church. He says the conference was profoundly moving and that he and Mr Franklin propose to set up a newsletter as a follow-up to the conference and its recommendations.

One of the ideas put forward was that of partner church visits. The proposal is seen as a gentle way of monitoring and encouraging gender equality within churches around the world. If you wish to learn more about the conference on women and men in mission in Goa, visit the website www.cwmgoa.freewebspace.com. If you would be interested in receiving Rev Lawrence's newsletter contact him via email: rich(at)wave.co.nz or Ph 07 855 8403.