Debut Conference on Adventism, Society and Sustainable Development (CASSD) at
Helderberg College (29 Nov – 1 Dec 2013)
1.1 History Made
ASI made history late last year when it realized a dream to bring together Adventist scholars,
professionals and business people in order to share their research about issues in society and the
church. The goal of this interaction was to better understand our post-modern world in order to reach
it effectively with the gospel.
1.2 Attendance
Sixty eight delegates registered for the four-day Conference, with attendance peaking on Sabbath.
Delegates came from across South Africa and as well as Zimbabwe, Kenya and the USA. This diverse
audience, added colour and flavour to the various formal and informal interactions at the Conference.
1.3 Conference Format
The Conference format was a balance between plenary and parallel sessions:
a) Plenary Sessions
Sixteen excellent plenary sessions were done by 6 world-renowned keynote speakers:
 Dr Hudson Kibuuka [Associate Director in the Dept of Education at the General Conference]
 Dr, Ganoune Diop [Associate Director, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty and Director for United
Nations Relations for the worldwide SDA church]
 Dr, Keith Burton [Coordinator for the Center of Adventist & Muslim Relations, Oakwood
University]
 Dr Zacchaeus Mathema [Professor of Applied Theology, Adventist University of Africa, Kenya)
 Dr Maxine Garvey [Chairperson and Assistant Professor in the Department of Allied Health,
Oakwood University]
 Dr Prudence Pollard [Professor of Management in the School of Business, Oakwood University]
Plenary topics were of an exceptional standard and covered issues on education, health, spirituality,
youth development, ethics, church leadership and sustainable development.
b) Parallel Sessions
Twenty nine papers, which generated robust debate, were presented in parallel sessions. Papers
covered issues such as women in ministry, music worship styles, socio economics and drug use, African
economic freedom, racism, institutional dress codes, poverty alleviation, the state of SDA education in
South Africa, and much more. Very positive feedback was received from these sessions and a lot of
networking was done afterwards.
Pl
1.4 Publication of Proceedings
enary Session Presenters photos to be supplied by Shandrell.
All plenary sessions were recorded and will be available on DVD after the editing process has been
completed. Papers, revised from input at the Conference, will be resubmitted and published in either
electronic or print for
1.5 Outcome of Conference
a) The Conference has highlighted the need for an informed discussion between lay Adventist
scholars/professionals/business people and church administrators/leaders concerning a wide range of
issues affecting society and the church.
b) It has also created a platform for networking among various professionals/scholars/business people
(and even institutions) both within the Southern African Union as well as with those from other parts
of the world.
1.6 Way Forward
Our plan is to organise 3 regional CASSDs in 2015 in the following areas:
 Gauteng
 Cape and
 KZN / Free State