Political and national leaders from across Africa will be meeting for a unique conference this weekend (29-30 January) which raises the profile of the Bible in the public square.

Up to 150 leaders will be joining the forum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend seminars, debates and talks on what the Bible has to say about poverty, good governance, conflict and reconciliation.

They include the former president of Nigeria, the high court Malawian judge who heard Madonna’s case for adoption in 2009 and Paul Boateng, the former British Ambassador to South Africa.

It’s the first event of its kind on the continent, and has been organised by Bible Society in partnership with the Bible Society of Ethiopia.

David Smith, Bible Society’s International Programme Manager, said, ‘The Bible has plenty to say about the common good – things like addressing poverty, seeking justice and equality for all people. Things that any democratic government strives to achieve.

‘In many ways, the Bible got there first on the building blocks of democracy. For those involved in political and national leadership, the Bible has plenty to say.’

The forum, part of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI), happens at the same time as the African Union’s heads of state summit in Addis Ababa. It will be followed, on the morning of Sunday 31 January, by the African Union Prayer Breakfast.

Prime ministers and presidents from across Africa will attend the Prayer Breakfast alongside members of the forum. They’ll also be presented with a statement which will summarise the views of forum delegates on the Bible’s place in politics in Africa.

David added, ‘We hope that this event will focus the minds of African leaders on the idea of leadership as service. The work of government is often tainted with corruption, scandal and secrecy, so the Bible’s message of justice, fairness and reconciliation has a major part to play.’