For the second time in its 53 years of existence the IACAC has to cancel its Annual Conference. The COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainties of how it will evolve, its dramatic effects on the global economy, and, more specifically, on the aviation industry as well as religious organisations that support our members and chaplaincies around the world, has forced this decision.
After a few weeks of thought and much prayer, the IACAC Board met online on 20 April and made the decision to cancel the 2020 IACAC Conference which was to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in October. The decision was made in coordination with our host chaplain, the Rev. Edward Nambute who has agreed to postpone the hosting of the conference to 2021.
Plans for future conferences are maintained for London in 2022 and St Louis, MO, USA in 2023 (originally planned for 2021 – to be validated by members). We thank the teams in Nairobi and St Louis for their understanding.
Strengthening the fellowship between airport chaplains around the world is more than ever essential in this strange and difficult time, the Board is contemplating the opportunity of an online meeting this year. We are open to ideas and initiatives from our members in that regard.
The members of the IACAC are committed in supporting the aviation industry, airport and airlines staff and management through their presence wherever and whenever this is possible and via all sorts of media, and we continue to offer prayer to the Creator asking for mercy for the suffering of humanity and wisdom for all leaders and decision makers.
Pierre de Mareuil
President