Duncan said, “The Anglican Relief and Development fund is an exciting new partnership between the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes with the Anglican Churches in the Global South, and with Geneva Global. The love of Christ for all of His people and all of His creation calls us well nourished Episcopalians in peaceful and relatively prosperous North America to help our Anglican brothers and sisters to help themselves.”

Moore described the fund’s purpose, “ARD exists to maximize life change through relief and development projects organized and run by local Christians. In many Anglican dioceses, the churches have used existing grass roots organizations to start projects to alleviate poverty and suffering. Many of these are among the more effective and cost efficient projects in the world because they are run by local leaders working for local wages who know the local people, the local environment, and the local culture. We will channel North American Anglicans’ contributions directly to the best local projects in poorer countries.”

Moore also announced the appointment of four primates of Global South Anglican churches as Trustees of the Fund who will represent emerging Anglicanism in the funding process. These four are:

· Most Rev. Datuk Yong Ping Chung, Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia and Bishop of Sabah diocese;

· Most Rev. Henry L. Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda;

· Most Rev. Drexel W. Gomez, Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies; and

· Most Rev. Dr. David M. Gitari, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Kenya (retired).

Moore explained the relationship with Geneva Global, “Geneva Global is both research and donor partner. Geneva’s professional staff of over 50 and its existing volunteer field force of over 400 will work with our own Episcopal and Anglican missionaries to identify and research the best high impact projects in the Anglican Communion. Projects that have been carefully qualified will be sent to the Fund’s Trustees for their consideration. Geneva currently does similar work for other donors desiring to fund the best projects in the Global South. Through its own Foundation, Geneva Global has also offered to match the first $2 million raised with an additional $500,000 contribution.”

Reverend Simon Barnes, Senior Vice-President of Geneva Global and an Episcopal priest, commented at the launch, “This is a natural fit for Geneva Global. We are happy to bring resources to bear in partnership with the Network in whatever ways we can to make ARD the most effective vehicle for life change within the Anglican Communion.”

ARD’s office is located with Geneva Global at 100 Matsonford Road, Five Radnor Corporate Center, Radnor, Pennsylvania, 19087.

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